Tahrir celebrates Mubarak ouster anniversary
- 12 years ago
A few vocal protesters chant against Egypt's military rulers.
In Tahrir Square Saturday, on the first anniversary of the popular overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, they hope to force the military out in the same way.
In the wake of violent crackdowns by the once-beloved army, dozens of activist and political groups are calling for the escalatation of civil disobedience until the military government goes.
But calls for a general strike have gone mostly unanswered as many are weary of continuing violence and economic troubles.
Some want to focus on the achievements of the past year, including free elections, instead of highlighting ongoing problems.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, IBRAHIM ALI
"We would dub this day as a 'Celebration' instead of calling for 'Civil disobedience'. Mubarak has resigned, and everybody now feels comfort. We got rid of Mubarak's corruption. We also removed his spoiled entourage. He was like a dilemma for thirty years, therefore we shouldn't call for civil disobedience, because we will suffer its dire consequences."
Meanwhile, top military brass from the U.S. and Egypt met in Cairo to resolve escalating tension over Egypt's crackdown on NGOs.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey's visit comes amid threats that a probe into NGO funding and travel ban on 43 employees could jeopardize $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid.
Egypt's military rulers have thus far remained defiant during the investigation and ongoing unrest.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
In Tahrir Square Saturday, on the first anniversary of the popular overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, they hope to force the military out in the same way.
In the wake of violent crackdowns by the once-beloved army, dozens of activist and political groups are calling for the escalatation of civil disobedience until the military government goes.
But calls for a general strike have gone mostly unanswered as many are weary of continuing violence and economic troubles.
Some want to focus on the achievements of the past year, including free elections, instead of highlighting ongoing problems.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, IBRAHIM ALI
"We would dub this day as a 'Celebration' instead of calling for 'Civil disobedience'. Mubarak has resigned, and everybody now feels comfort. We got rid of Mubarak's corruption. We also removed his spoiled entourage. He was like a dilemma for thirty years, therefore we shouldn't call for civil disobedience, because we will suffer its dire consequences."
Meanwhile, top military brass from the U.S. and Egypt met in Cairo to resolve escalating tension over Egypt's crackdown on NGOs.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey's visit comes amid threats that a probe into NGO funding and travel ban on 43 employees could jeopardize $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid.
Egypt's military rulers have thus far remained defiant during the investigation and ongoing unrest.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters