This
Timeline was written minute by minute during the start of the 18
glorious during the internet and communication cut and was posted on
Facebook. Today 9 months later I republish it. Believing it to be quite interesting and can make us remember events as they happened
For those more interested in Pictures you can find them on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150383370695512.617584.889875511&type=1
Friday Jan28 2011
15.00 Listening to the tear gas
being thrown at people trying to reach Liberation Square (Tahrir), I
wonder what is happening. There is a big group of people in Talaat Harb Square,
another attack is being prepared. It defend Bab el Louk square where there is
another big group of protesters. I am wondering how they will keep their
positions, the sound of the tear gas bombs are an indicator that the security
forces are attacking protesters from that side quite strongly, but then the
protesters that were in front of the Opera house started walking through Kasr
el nil bridge, and are having some success. Even on those tear gases were
thrown . But they keep on advancing.
Now it's a bit later; I cannot
count the tear gas bombs anymore, neither can I count the salvos, but there is
a determination to go on by the protesters. I've personally noticed 25 to 30
arrests on Tahrir Square although I was not watching all he time; far from
that. The shouts coming up from the street are not all thumping sounds by the
special forces, actually the voice of the protesters who are much further is
kind of covering this slightly ridiculous "hop hop" they are
uttering. But the most noticeable is the sound of the salvos of tear gas. You
would think, you are in Iraq during the American attacks. Going out to check
the situation, protesters have been pushed back from the square but are still
holding positions in front of cinema Metro. Bab el Louk is now back in the
hands of security forces but they had to extend their defenses, a lot of
arrests happened there more than the first batch I've seen arrested. Kasr el
Nil was at a point completely full with protesters , but the water canons were
sent and the tear gases didn't stop and I think , they were being pushed back.
Funnily, on the Egyptian TV if
you watch the news, the protesters have left the streets and things are back to
normal. I really wonder when the media censors will stop this somehow
counterproductive technique of hiding news. I wonder though how the liberal and
democratic government that has been hailed as such until a few days ago by the
US state department risked forcing the mobile companies and the Internet
servers to go down. I suppose it will not be good for the business community,
it is feeling by now the crunch, and not that we'd have (as Egypt) such an
influence on the world at large , but when you think that it is everywhere in
the Middle East from Morocco, to Lebanon and Yemen, that is most of the Middle
East, which might have a not too good effect on an already weakened
international economy.
Its a couple of hours later and
here I am restarting my tale, the Kasr el Nil front was disintegrated ,
protesters running back in all directions, a few thousand went through Zamalek,
passing the gate of the GSC, while others retreated towards Galaa bridge, where
again protesters have been grouping, as soon as they were grouped the strongest
yet attack of tear gas was thrown on them forcing them to break the police
forces again and come back to their original starting point, the Saad Zaghloul
statue, just past the Kasr el nil bridge. Quite ironic, isn't it? Saad
after all was the leader of the only real Egyptian revolution.
The protesters won it out, they
did succeed in taking over the square.
It is now 20 00 hours and
Liberation square is still a battlefield. Somehow, everything is a bit
strange; first there was an announcement that the Military ruler had
called for a curfew starting 18 00 h till tomorrow morning at 7; and that the
army was going to take over the streets. Just after that announcement, Interior
Ministry forces, that were still defending out the square looked completely
disoriented and started making strange movements that looked like they were
retreating. Most of the forces defending the square were taken into trucks, and
those left on the field just lost control and were defending themselves. It
seems that at that time, the forces of security were actually over-extended and
lost control of a few of those trucks on Ramses Street, and that these were
burnt. By then it was clear that the forces were retreating to the "second
line of defense", they had to try and defend the route to the parliament.
The most generous tear gas salvo was sent towards Qasr el Nil, while the police
forces retreated, after the smoke dissipated the protesters had an open way all
the way to an empty Tahrir Square.
12.15; the army came into the
square, again it was quite strange. First of all the protesters were finally
sent out of the square by a powerful attack by the police force still defending
the Parliament. Before they could regroup though, an army convoy of maybe 25
Armed personnel carriers together with 3 or 4 tanks entered Tahrir
Square. The protesters came in after them, somehow under their protection. The
Army just stopped there. That was the moment when the President chose to make a
very strange communique, which talked about his "allegiance to the poor
against the rich" and some other poetically symbolic figures of speech,
and finally dispatched the government on the way out, promising to form a new
government within 24 hours. Protesters who came in with the army were still
quite a few and some others were still watching from afar not completely
reassured I suppose when the army started distributing boxes with food to the
people around.
The curfew is not implemented.
The square is still full of
protesters chanting and just standing by the army tanks .At 1 am, January
27, it rained for a couple of minutes and that is perceived as a good omen in
Egypt and started a new chant "Al Shaab Yorid Eskatt El Raiss" the
people want the president's downfall , a close second being "Boss
shouf el Geish biye3mel eh" (look see, what the army does)
1.30 a new salvo of tear gas is
sent from somewhere besides the parliament. The protesters went to the army
tanks complaining . A couple left their positions in the square and
repositioned in front of the forces of the interior ministry opening the way to
the protesters thus defending them.
2.00 More tear gas salvos. But
the curfew is not implemented. Protesters are still in the street somehow under
the protection of the Army. Nonetheless nor the internet nor the mobile phones
have been reconnected.
3.00 Another couple of minutes of
rain, bring joy to the protesters and the party is going on. There are still
some explosions and shots somewhere not too far but they become rarer.
4.20 Some shots and explosions
are heard not too far, but protesters are still standing in the square and
chanting. The army is slowly getting out of the square, but protesters are
still here, they are tired but from time to time a new round of chants starts.
Is it over ? Has the people
calmed down? Well in Tahrir square everything seems fine, but what about Suez ,
Alexandria, and the rest of the country?
Why are we still cut out on the
communication front. The net has still not been reconnected nor are the mobile
phones.
Nearly 5 AM, and the chants are
still coming out from the streets and protesters still do not seem keen of
going to their homes although the weather has taken a sudden turn to the cold.
I'll now crash hoping to be able
to upload all the pictures and this timeline onto the World wide web, thanking
all the people of the world who have been supporting the Egyptian protesters.
12.10 January 29, Woke up at around
10 by a stream of phone calls trying to find out what is happening. The first
thing is that the mobile phone networks are now working unfortunately the net
is still disconnected. The protesters are still on the square in quite
impressive numbers. The army is friendly towards the protesters even
distributing bread to protesters and being very friendly towards protesters
wanting to have pictures with them. There was a chant that happened few
minutes ago that went "la ekhwan la ahzab, el thawra di lel chabab"
(No moslem brotherhood no parties, this revolution is for the youth). A little
earlier though when I went out to see what is going on, I could recognize a few
faces that are "political activists" , but at that moment the
protesters were into groups that were defending their own agendas, until
someone started to shout the youth slogan, at that point the whole group of
protesters became one and shouted in one voice. Protesters are still coming in
the square and everything seem to be under control. Would just wish that the net
was reconnected.
18.24 Time has run and news are
raining hard on us. First the curfew was moved from 18 hours to 16 hours and up
till 8 instead of 7. Truth is though that it has no result protesters are still
in the open and are still showing great love and friendship towards the army.
News are a bit worrying though as rumor is that the falling regime has decided
to open up the doors of prisons to common criminals and even providing them
with some armament. News and rumors of looting all over the republic.
Later in a surprise move the president has named a vice president, was
something that he has been refusing to do inspite of the demands of protesters
repetitively for 25 years. Maybe 25 years late. He named Omar Soleiman ( a man
with strong sympathy towards the Americans a former chief of military intelligence) as his vice-president, The truth is though that neither this nor
the following announcement of a new PM no one has ever heard of deterred the
protesters . They are still in the streets and standing high and shouting at
the top of their voices. They do not seem to settle for less than they
request and that is nothing less than the demise of the president. Still
no net connection. I thought it came with having a brand new Vice-president but
it does not seem to be the case. By now , there is some kind of civil defense
being set up by the inhabitants of buildings and of streets that are under
attack from the looters.
19.18 some looters went into Heliopolis police station, stole the armaments and are on a rant on the streets
, while army trucks are passing by using microphones and announcing that help
will not be sent to them before tomorrow and that people should defend their
quarters. Army also set up a hot line to call in case of attacks.
January 30, 10 am.
I had to sleep for a while. Went
to sleep out of both exhaustion and depression. Last night I went out twice to
the square. The second time quite late as the fire in the NDP building was
looking as if it was threatening the Museum once again. Fortunately that was
not the case, nonetheless , by then tempers were short. The army troups have
been on the streets not sleeping for nearly 60 hours, without sleep. Protesters
also are kind of exhausted. The army is sending new troups who arrived early
this morning. Rumors are that there are orders to the Army to retreat and let
the police take over again. Somehow this is one rumor I can not believe. But on
the other hand, the "government" has ordered the closure of the Al
Jezira offices in Egypt and recalled the press cards of their reporters. The
Egyptian TV announced that the minister of information has announced this
measure. Strange though as the ministry as a whole has been dismissed by the
president 2 days ago if I remember well, and no new Government has been
appointed. Moreover some of the Egyptian population has started being afraid of
the looting and the thugs and are trying to convince protesters to calm down
and retreat. As of now it doesn't seem to work but who knows what pressure by
family and friends and tiredness will result.
The mood seems to be slightly
downbeat for the moment.
By the way still no internet and
nobody seems to care in the international medias. Internet has been cut for
almost 60 hours now. Not allowed I suppose to show or say what is really
happening in Egypt .
A bit before 16.00 hours ,
started a very busy traffic of jet fighters, at each passage they are
welcome by protesters and cheered up . After nearly half an hour of a show of
power, involving also some helicopter forces carrier the sky cleared up.
18.00 hours The Curfew is
supposed to have started 2 hours ago. The Square is still full of people. There
must be around 50 to 60 thousands. There are news that the same is happening in
Alexandria, Mehalla, and a few others governorates.
January 31, 9.20 am Very Hard
night on the protesters. It was very cold. They had to walk around the square,
sometimes even running for a few circles, chanting slogans, in order to heat
themselves up a bit. Nonetheless by now, the numbers have dwindled on the
square to a mere couple of thousands. This is the first time it dwindles so
much during a night, in a couple of hours protesters will be back in force and
already their numbers is increasing again. Some went to wash up and get food,
and some go home to sleep. Today though is different as there has been news
since yesterday that the Police is to start to come back down to the streets.
According to "government" or more accurately to the Egyptian TV,
traffic police is to take over from the youth who were regulating traffic since
the protesters took up the square, they also claim that investigators for
crimes will also come down today , I wonder though from where they will be
working as Police stations have been attacked and burnt all over the republic.
I believe that by now few of those stations are standing unburnt.
There are moments when even
atheists look for a greater power to pray to. Seems to me to be one of those.
The situation is explosive, at any point, there might be orders to the army to
start shooting. Nobody knows though will the orders come down the command, or
be stopped at a certain level and would army officers take over. The least that
can be said is that the situation is out of hand. Protesters who by now should
be called Revolutionaries, have no plan, no figure head, although there are
some trials to push Baradei as the "guardian of the revolution" for a
temporary government that would be in charge of implementing a new constitution
and organizing free elections within 6 month. This is all very nice, however
there are no news of any contacts between those and army officials. At the same
time, the Egyptian TV is still airing news of the new decisions and decrees the
president is issuing. No new Government has been named yet, and I wonder who
but the old guard of the regime would now agree to be named.
It was also announced yesterday
that the curfew is now from 3 pm to 8 am. Very strange this curfew, no one is
really following it but a few law abiding citizens fearing for both their lives
and their properties. These fears being amplified by the worrying news aired by
the Egyptian TV. No one though on the Governmental TV is drawing any conclusion
nor even questions why were the prisons opened and the common criminals left
out into the streets. They just say that prisoners are now on the loose and are
looting everywhere. The civil defense committees set out by the people in their
streets have been defending private properties at the best of their abilities,
and no news of killings have yet emerged. There is a clear campaign of
misinformation. Part of the defense of the "old" regime.
11.15 By now the numbers of
protesters has swelled again to maybe around 10 thousand. Their spirits is
still up. I just heard a few gun shots, but these do not come from the square.
11.37 I wonder what those gun
shots were maybe they were just Army trying to keep protesters from getting too
near them. It seems they have got orders not to be anymore inside the crowds so
to have ways of moving fast. I wonder what that means.
11.51 More people are coming
towards the square. The level of sound these protesters achieve is quite
impressing. There are news that the curfew is now from 2pm to 8 am.
12.00 The square now has more
than 25 thousands protesters, and more are coming.Rumors are flying from all
sides and involve everything from Army shooting on protesters in Alexandria and
other places to even assassination attempts on different personalities.
13.00 Some 40 thousand are now on
the square demonstrating. By now when a helicopter passes by. The crowds can
cover he sound of it, and they do, chanting "Erhal" (Leave)
14.00 More rumors saying that
some army officers have said they had orders to shoot at around 3. One more
hour to see. Curfew though is not implemented and there was no announcement to
the people down here to go home or be shot. ???? The new government has been
named most names are unknown but they are people from the regime and I doubt
very much that the protesters will calm down, or accept them as legitimate.
14.15 Some more marches are
joining in into the square, I believe that by now here must be a minimum of 70
thousands down there shouting that the people wants the regime to fall. I have
news that this is happening all over the republic and all over Cairo too.
Actually, there are also unconfirmed news that protesters are out in the street
in Beni Soueif, and are marching too. Somehow these are the first news that
Upper Egypt is also joining. Also other rumors say that all the journalists of
Al Gezira that were in their rooms in their hotels were arrested.
15.20 The Square is nearly
covered by protesters and nothing seems to calm them down.
Maybe the president believes that
he is the legitimate president of a country whom at the last election is
supposed to have given him 90 per cent of their votes. It seems he believes
these are the real results. I really wonder what he is thinking about or what
he is trying to do. Does he believe he can survive this without a "blood
bath" and is he thinking about just burning it to the ground before flying
out? I wonder. The staccato of the slogans is helping me adjust the rhythm of my
typing, and inspire me it seems.
February 1
2.45 The square still has a few
thousand sleeping in. The weather is cold and people are trying to sleep. Some
got tents, but most will sleep for the 4 th night in the street with nothing
but what they are wearing. Last night though was colder, and it seems that
tomorrow it might be even milder. Tomorrow the march to the presidential palace
will start according to the protesters in the street. They promised to gather a
million. I believe they will be gathering at least 1 in Cairo and another one
in Alexandria.
10.45 Protesters are gathering.
By now here is already 60 thousands already on the street. Rumors are flying
that even before the start of the "Million's march" towards the
presidential palace, there will be an announcement that the President has flown
out of the country. However there are rumors that protesters might decide to
stay on the square.
We will not be able to update
this until the internet connection is restored across the country... we managed
to do this with a little help ;)
mercredi 2 février
2011, 14:59
Paid
members of the NDP together with some of government thugs attacked the peaceful
demonstration mounted on horses and camels , there is a war down there they
attacked maybe an hour ago.
We have seen lots of injured
protesters being taken to the infirmary , within a few minutes someone counted
up to 50
please share, and if you can come
down to the Square please do it is a fight for your freedom and your country
mercredi 2
février 2011, 16:32
Supporters of Moubarak Have
attacked at around 3 O'clock there are reports of trucks full of supporters
bringing them down towards Tahrir Square .but actually the first wave of attack
was a mounted attack, on horses and camels. Many protesters were injured in
this first wave of attack. The numbers of protesters did dwindle for a moment
but then in spite of at least one confirmed death and at least 50 to 60
injured, they kind of regrouped. At a point there was rifle shots being heard
and it seems it was the army trying to keep the "peaceful" supporters
away. At a point there was a big cloud of white smoke that was somewhere beside
Simon Bolivar Square. The "peaceful" and law abiding supporters of
the regime also attacked from Talaat Harb , Some molotov were
thrown from their ranks and the army had to send some warning shots to keep
them at bay. Reports from Simon Bolivar square says that the white smoke was
tear gas sent from the ranks of the "supporters". Other reports are
saying that the same thing is also happening in Mohandessin. There are also
reports that both the US president and the French president called for the
immediate resignation of Mubarak.
The situation has slightly calmed
down in Tahrir Square although the chaos is indescribable
Maybe our status of an hour ago
should be rethought. Maybe it is time for regrouping counting our deads and our
injured from both sides.
If anything new happens I'll come
back on line telling you
jeudi 3 février
2011, 01:05
The situation has kind of calm
now. The protesters were under attack from the Moubarak supporters coming from
Abdel Moneim Ryad Square . The famous attack that started with the horses and
camels. I suppose the horses and Camels were also from Moubarak supporters .
This attack has been going on since 3 pm. And at a point was kind of joined by
another attack from Kasr el Nil street but this one was repelled and seem to
have been completely dispersed.On Abdel Moneim square there is kind of a status
quo with the protesters keeping their positions, while the Pro- Moubarak crowds
are standing on the bridge and are sending molotovs and stoned towards the
Pro-testers. The fight there is still going on, but I was told the Pro-testers
were Grand there.
The Square still stands and the
protesters are still controlling it, but news are out that some attack is being
prepared against them for the early morning are quite persistent.
News from this desk are cut for
tonight.
Will resume in the morning.
jeudi 3 février
2011, 08:37
Good morning!
The protesters are still hanging
on to the Square . Actually news are that they completely scattered the attack,
sometime during the night. Another day is starting.
Tahrir Square: Friday , February 3rd 15.10
jeudi 3 février
2011, 14:39
The Square is by now full of
people while the battle trying to keep pro -Government manifestations
from entering into the square. It has been reported and confirmed by many
witnesses that this battle started since 12 noon yesterday , with the furthest
penetration made at around 15.00 hours yesterday, the I suppose by now Iconic
mounted attack that has been shown on most TV channels around the world. The
penetration was successfully stopped and pushed back. After a pathetic battle
in which the pro government forces succeeded in taking over two roofs
just in front of the Museum, and started throwing stones and molotovs on the
anti Moubarak protesters. A battle followed and raged for long hours, actually
it still goes on there, in sporadic spurs. The pro-government forces are still
on the bridge and throwing stones , the anti Moubarak protesters are standing a
bit further down the bridge.
Rumors are flying everywhere.
Most of them are quite difficult to believe. However it seems the new strategy
of the government is to cut off supply lines to the protesters . Citizens
who are trying to get supplies in do succeed to send in supplies, but I heard
of at least 2 accidents involving crowds breaking cars trying to reach he
square to supply the protesters with food, water, and medical supplies.
TAHRIR SQUARE : Friday 3rd, 2011
jeudi 3 février
2011, 17:37
The battle at Abdel Moneim Ryad
Square is now under protesters control again . The battle is still going on.
Snipers were used by the Government supporting troops. By asking at the
infirmary by the side of the Museum just off the front line. The Casualties for
today on this specific infirmary has been 2 dead (shot in the head) and 226
injured.
Sporadic firearm shots were heard
right now, probably the army trying to contain the attacks from the pro Government.
Tahrir Square: Friday 3rd, 2011 19.25 URGENT URGENT URGENT SHARE and send to lawyers
jeudi 3 février
2011, 18:38
All of a sudden, now the sound of
the square is again roaring with anti Moubarak voices and they are shouting at
the top of their voices "ERHAL" (GO AWAY)... Maybe he does not
understand Arabic that's why I am translating, it seems it is as a reaction to
the TV appearance and the speech of the Vice-president named by the man they
want out, and they do not accept him as legitimate as coming out of a corrupt
and broken regime after it actually had no more hold to the peace and security
of the Streets of the Capital and a few other towns and cities. I suppose that
this should be the actual case if shown before the Hague tribunal. Can anyone
start this step. I am calling on International law specialist to check about
this.
This also apply to the Newly
appointed Government.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Friday 3rd, 2011
jeudi 3 février
2011, 20:11
This note is slightly different.
I feel nothing much is happening down stairs at the moment, and somehow I
started to try and understand what is really happening, I started wondering
about the hardheadedness of the present regime represented in Moubarak
primarily but also of the people he named. I really think they don't listen. I
ave to run for he moment but I will come back.
Now on the square there is a
political meeting that does not get too much cheering.
TAHRIR SQUARE : Intended to be a status
jeudi 3 février 2011, 22:33
Well the situation seems now to
be mostly calm and I am off to crash a bit. I mean I intend to go to sleep . I
am crushing nothing. :)
Tomorrow is a long day and the
moment for people to choose between, a false sense of security within a corrupt
regime or a sense of chaos but with a possibility of starting anew and give a
chance to honest and hard working people .
I have expectations .... but I've
been disappointed so many times that I wonder.
The party has started anew down
there and patriotic songs are blasted through the speakers , and the protesters
too are I suppose going to sleep a bit. Tomorrow promises to be a long day and
a dangerous one.
Misinformation and the Egyptian regime .... URGENT
vendredi 4
février 2011, 08:33
As usual our media institutions
are just spreading rumors. I would like the people from my generation and older
ones to remember how Victorious the regime was claiming to be until the 9th of
June 1967. I would like everybody also to remember all the misinformation
campaigns used repetitively to save governments or personalities within the
last 60 years. I want everybody to try and think of how our History has seen
rewrote for the personal honor of the rulers and this probably since Ramses the
II.
Just think about all this and remember
it is Egypt youth all of them from all parties and different colors of the
political spectrum although the majority is just youth wanting the best for
their future. They don't want to have a corrupt regime. Unfortunately it seems
the older generations think that security is better than honor and corruption
is better than hard work.
I believe that in this case those
who are skeptic could at least have he decency to keep silent and Neutral. Even
the Egyptian army took that choice.
That is all I have to say
URGENT Minister of Defense General Brigadier Tantaoui comes to Tahrir Square
vendredi 4
février 2011, 09:51
الجيش المصري جيشنا وحسني مش رئيسنا
The
Egyptian army is our Army and Hosny is not our president
It Seems General Tantaoui came to
the Museum a few minutes ago and this is how protesters welcomed him. He
wanted o talk to the crowds , but it seems protesters told him to go to the
microphone on the Square so all could hear him. He now left this side and no
one really knows where he has gone.
Situation on the Square is quite
calm. Protesters are chanting. There are queues on the entrances of the Square
for security checks but even though it is slowly letting the people in.
Tahrir Square: Status Quo
vendredi 4
février 2011, 18:51
Protesters are on the street .
They came in in great numbers, there was at a time something like 700
thousands. and 700 thousands chanting, can roar quite high believe me. The
protesters had a couple of unexpected visits , General - Brigadier Tantaoui ,
minister of defense, and Amr Moussa General secretary of the Arab league .
However both either could not or would not go to where the mics are and the
protesters gather to listen to incoming personalities probably because of the
security risks involved for Public men to go through the square.
On the other fronts nothing is
happening. What a day it was!
TAHRIR SQUARE
vendredi 4
février 2011, 21:00
I wish everyone who is thanking
me for the photos and the trial to keep the Facebook world up to date news to
stop doing so. I believe I am doing much less than I should do if I could for
the cause of keeping these kids in the street who succeeded to make the most
ferocious police forces retreat and succeeded in taking over the Square without
violence, and only using some after they were beaten and had showers of tear
gas bombs thrown on them.
The kids have made me feel proud
of being Egyptian . They made me even prouder of being Egyptian when the same
ferocious police forces were sent again wearing plain clothes and again they
were beaten in a street battle and had to retreat again. And the kids are
losing daily friends who fall either because of serious injuries or worse,
those with small injuries keep coming back as soon as they can. Nonetheless,
they don't take even time to cry for those dead friends and advance to get
killed too. They are real Freedom fighters.
But there are some signs that the
new policy will involve a military siege , letting the kids come out but not in
again.
On the other hand, Misinformation
campaigns are well orchestrated . And families and friends are now pressurizing
the protesters because they are now brain washed by the Egyptian TV and the
security forces rumor spreading organism.
The news on the Square are now
very calm. By now because the weather is cold there is only the die hard who
are still here. Helicopters are flying over the Square much more than usual
though.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Saturday, February 05, 2011. Day 8 of the occupation of the Square. URGENT
samedi 5 février
2011, 00:41
A small attack just happened from
Tahrir Square , involving a few molotov and some fire arm shots. The situation
is now again in hand and the attack was small a few attackers maybe in a group
of 10 or so. The attackers retreated after the attack. They just sent their
molotov shot a few shots and ran away.
Everything is back to normal. The
whole thing took from 1.26 to 1.35. It is now 1.40 and the whole square is
chanting again.
TAHRIR SQUARE: February 05, 2011 12.32 pm
samedi 5 février
2011, 11:33
It has been a calm night. Things
seem to be under control and it is now prayer time. The protesters are still
here and they seem to be determined.
TAHRIR SQUARE: February 05, 2011 4 pm
samedi 5 février
2011, 15:57
As you can see from the photos
the Square is in a party mood still . check the photos.
Nothing really is happening but
there is a sense of expectation all over. Some Army person came and tried to
make an announcement saying that it was now time to go home. Had no effect on
the protesters and they answered "The Army and the people are one
hand". Right now just after some kind of Islamic preacher said something
probably my moslem friends , he was answered by the crowds "Ana
Masri" which in a way was nice. By now people are shouting "Tahia
Masr"
TAHRIR SQUARE: Saturday, February 06, 2011. Day 9 of the occupation of the Square.
dimanche 6
février 2011, 03:48
The night time party is still on.
Everything is fine. Up till now there was no attack. One wonders what is in
store for tomorrow. Nothing much happened today on the square. But the regime
is trying to rethink its image. Getting rid of some of the figure heads that
had during their long careers had accumulated an enormous amount of popular
dislike.It has been raining and the night is cold. But in spite of the
Government concessions, there was a not too diplomatic statement by the
alleged Prime Minister saying that the protesters have transformed the
square into a Hyde Park and that they are safe there and that the alleged
Government would be distributing bonbons to the protesters.
There is a call for another
million man and woman for today. The arm wrestling is still on it seems.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Saturday, February 06, 2011.
dimanche 6 février
2011, 10:08
The Party is on. The
numbers are not impressive, but I have got reports that the entrances to the
square are kind of blocked and that food has been refused clearance. But
everything seems calm. There is a Mass planned after the midday prayer. Will keep you
posted if anything exciting happens.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Saturday, February 06, 2011. 14.27
dimanche 6 février
2011, 14:06
The Party is really getting impressive
although the entrances to the square have long security measures and the queue
at the entrance on Kasr el Nil bridge goes up at least the new Opera. There
must be close to half a million by now on the square, and many have come and
left, many supporters bring in supply and blankets and then go home to take
care of their daily life.
There's been news that there will
be a concert sometime today.
The Mass did not take place
replaced by a couple of prayers. Pictures will be uploaded but are not too impressive.
To all those who have been openly against the youth of Tahrir Square
dimanche 6
février 2011, 18:31
I am sorry to share this with all
my friends but I received a call for all who want a secular Egypt, this
does not only apply to the secularity (sic) of the state.
According to the Youth who are in
the movement no one wants that .
They all want a secular Egypt.
But they also want a fair Egypt. They have done amazing things while you and
your friends were trying by all the means in your power to scare them off. Or
at least I remember a message of yours that implied that they were idiots who
did not know what they were doing and were somehow unaware of realities. I
personally wish I had been like them when I was their age.
They want an Egypt that will be
from the people and for the people. An Egypt with laws that make sense and are
fair for all.
Something no one of your
generation or mine have ever experimented, or even my now dead parents or grand
parents . The kids are doing this and on their own maybe can we trust them to
do somethings most of us never even dreamed even to do.
I also would like to clarify to
you that for the moment any involvement in Politics for anyone is factually a
political suicide. Starting to make demands now specially after your initial
position is not very correct morally speaking. :)
TAHRIR SQUARE: Saturday, February 06, 2011. 19.45 Heavy firearms shots salvo by army
dimanche 6
février 2011, 19:00
Some shots were heard a few
minutes ago. However it seems it was just a defense salvo by the army to keep
demonstrators calm. The incident started when some "thugs" tried to
move the barricades of the demonstrators. The demonstrators took the attackers
and were handing them to the army. The behind the barricades
demonstrators got slightly excited and the Army had to shoot this salvo in the
air to calm the crowds.
And The PARTY is still going ON.
There was even a live concert during the day on the square. Some artists
decided to come and paint the roads on the Square. WOODSTOCK on NILE
TAHRIR SQUARE: Monday, February 07, 2011. Day 10 of the occupation of the Square.
lundi 7 février
2011, 09:23
The night was calm once again.
Last night the new Mohamed Mounir video was released. It asks a question :
"HOW?"
It seems there is some
nervousness on the Square right now. Might be an attack.
If I do not write anything within
the next 15 minutes then it is again a false alarm. Nonetheless I believe that
it is just that a false alarm as the music is still blasted from the loud
speakers.
If not I'll keep you all posted.
Some of the jokes being sent out as smsses
lundi 7 février
2011, 11:30
أقوى عقاب لصفوت الشريف وفتحى سرور إن الشعب يمنع عنهم صبغة
الشعر
The worst punishment for Safwat
Al Sherif and Fathi Sourour is to cut off hair dies from them.
ردا على جمعة الغضب , وجمعة الرحيل , ويوم الشهداء ,وأسبوع الصمود . أعلن الرئيس أنه قرر
التنحى فى يوم
القيامة
As an answer to Anger
Friday, Departure Friday, Memorial Day, and the week of Resilience, The
president announced
that he had decided to step down
in the Day of Resurrection (Easter Friday)
New word added to the dictionary:
Mubarak [V.] : To stick myself. Example: I will mubarak you to the wall
TAHRIR SQUARE: Monday, February 07, 2011. 13.30
Another funeral of the Martyrs of
the Revolution passed through the Square today. It was the funeral of the
Egyptian journalist Ahmad Mahmoud who received a live bullet while being in his
office in the Al Ahram building. The funeral started from the syndicate of
journalists in spite that Safwat El Cherif who is still the head of the Supreme
Council for the Press. Maybe he could also present his resignation from that
post. Specially after the ridiculous way the government medias have covered the
events.
But in spite of the funerals and
the loss of friends , the Party still goes on
TAHRIR SQUARE: Monday, February 07, 2011. Day 11 of the occupation of the Square.
mardi 8 février
2011, 09:08
A slow night. An eerie night
actually. For the first time It felt like there were people sleeping. I believe
protesters were just exhausted and crashed as today might be hard , they called
for another march of the million, the logistics involved in such an event are
quite complicated specially that the nerves might be slightly tense.
10.00 Most people are still
sleeping or at best waking up. There is a strange piece of news released by the
"Al Jazeera Arabic", that claims that the President might be flying
very soon to Germany for some health checks. Nonetheless it seems that the
Square either hasn't heard, is cautious about the wording or that it is
not sure how to react. Maybe they can also get the more urgent measures
being the dissolution of the National Democratic Party and the two houses.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Tuesday, February 08, 2011. Day 12 of the occupation of the Square.
mardi 8 février
2011, 17:35
I wonder if occupation of the
square is the right way to describe what is happening. The biggest march up
till now. And now it is a march, there are news that the Parliament the Shura
Council and the Council of Ministers are under siege, or at least
cordoned off by demonstrators.
And still the great Party
however , the status quo is still
standing. The Government is still claiming that they are in control and ready
to negotiate while the fact is that they are facing a general case of civil
disobedience and that this is over for them.
I believe the old regime is
trying to find some way of securing themselves, nonetheless my personal belief
is that they should go the fastest possible. The more this movement is going
on, the bigger the crowds demonstrating, the more escalation happens and the
demands become more radical.
If the regime would listen to me
who is an independent I would suggest to them to go away right now as the
demonstrators are still mild in their demands.
The situation on the Square is
still the Party , actually some succeeded in building a stage on the square for
concerts and artistic endeavors.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Tuesday, February 08, 2011. 23.47
mardi 8 février
2011, 22:56
The situation is getting tense
again. If here the situation is calm and everything is under control and the
Party is still going on.
There has been a hardening of
position by the demonstrators as they went towards the Parliament and are now
in the Maglis al Shaab street camping in front of the main gate. But having
secured the street beginning on the side of Kasr El Aini and up
till Falaki street.
Cameras to be positioned on them
would be very welcome by International Press I would imagine.
TAHRIR SQUARE: Wednesday, February 09, 2011. Day 13 of the occupation of the Square.
mercredi 9
février 2011, 13:43
All is well. Music in the air
after last night's concert when the Song of the Revolution was presented.On the
Magliss el Chaab front there are about 400 protesters sitting in under
the protection of the people , some of them being Health Ministry employees
chanting against the Regime. They have control over the stretch of magliss el
Chaab Street same as yesterday note. check it please.
From our Special
Correspondent in Abdine.
Urgent News from Abdine Square By
our : In their first major appearance, the men in black have cordoned off
Abdine Square from angry women in black. They were promised housing by the
governate then told to shove it. Very smart. What a great regime, it's doing
it's best to support the revolution.
Dictionary:
Men in black: The Police
Women in black: Lower class
Cairenes (can bite)
Thoughts about Governments and state of law and other things
mercredi 9
février 2011, 22:05
Dr. Gaber Asfour , the minister
of Culture of that unexisting and unknown Government we had for the last few
hours , I am not sure it was more than 100, has resigned citing Health
problems. This I suppose means legally that the Government has failed. Egypt
therefore does not have a Government, nor does Moubarak nor Omar Soleiman. So
Legally, the protesters have succeeded in their revolution. We have a President,
a Vice President and a Prime minister. But no Ministry.
Moreover the protesters have
succeeded in closing the doors to the Parliament , an unlawful Parliament as
even the Parliament Head (whom the protesters also do not recognize and want
out the man who was a President for a few days during the comedy that
happened after the death of Sadate ) has recognized than more than two thirds
of the members have used unlawful means to get elected. Moreover , the
protesters blocking the doors to the Parliament have actually stopped those
"cinematic extras" members of Parliament of being able to meet.
The comedy is going on. Dr. Gaber
Asfour, was replaced by Dr. Ashraf Zaki, the man who was forced to resign from
the presidency of the syndicate of Actors not later than this morning.
Surrealistic !!!!
TAHRIR SQUARE IS CELEBRATING
jeudi 10 février
2011, 19:19
Tahrir Square has been
celebrating for a long time. Actually celebrations started since the morning,
but even the most politicized are also celebrating. Although actually nothing
happened. The whole thing continues to be surrealistic.
The Square though is bubbling
with the sweet taste of victory.
Even if all the news are real,
which I still doubt we had too many moments when the Victory seemed so clear.
And then some new person would come and say that everything was fine and they
will send us bonbons, or other really unbelievable bullshit.
I personally still demand the
disbanding of the NDP, National Democratic Party. And immediately. Again this
is my personal opinion for a chance to build an Egypt that I would be happy to
live in and proud of being Egyptian for ever after.
With Love to all from Midan
El Tahrir. :)
TAHRIR SQUARE IS CELEBRATING II
jeudi 10 février
2011, 20:57
There are millions in the Square.
and the news from and around the Square are getting more and more
worrying. I believe that many of the celebrators are getting ugly. Some of the
women already are leaving the square . The situation is electrical and some use
the crowd for behaviors that can only be described as sexual harassment. There
are too many people in the Square right now. Maybe is there some who will be
trying for a last gap for the regime trying to turn the celebrations into some
kind of blood bath. On the other hand, there is also a wedding ceremony going
on somewhere else on the Square.
Incertainty continues and nothing
is really clear. Some Rumors say that Mr. Sillysillyman will stay on which is
also completely rejected by the kids of Tahrir Square. I really wonder what is
going on. I also do not want any more "Free officers" and the such.
Maybe I am just a worryer
we will see
Tahrir celebrations Urgent
jeudi 10
février 2011, 21:25
Everyone is here around either a
radio or a television waiting for the victory however some of the signs are
kind of disappointing. It can be a technique so that if the victory is done
then the Egyptian people will be fine and celebrations must occur.
But for some reason I am still
quite pessimistic as the way I read the news, I kind of feel the same as
in 1967 when the information ministry back then was controlled by the Army and
made an amazing brain wash while hiding the shameful defeat until when they
announced the truth ... people came out chanting "A7a A7a La
Tatanaha"
I am so afraid that we are
getting Mr Sillyman as a goodbye present.
let's hope it is only my worrying
.
TAHRIR SQUARE urgent
jeudi 10
février 2011, 22:05
He doesn't understand at all. WE
need to be 80 millions in the streets. This is just crazy, he does not
understand. And I was kind of right worrying. tHE HARDHEADEDNESS IS JUST
INCREDIBLE i THINK HE SHOULD JUST UNDERSTAND THAT 60 YEars are maybe too much ,
he should get his pension and go.
What he said today is the most
incredible bullshit I've ever heard in my life. As I expecte4d it is still
another 1967.
I believe the fight will be
going on .
I believe that Mr President just
can not understand that he is one of the main problem , but on the other hand I
thank him because this is maybe the only way we will be able to topple all the
dirty rests of a regime that corrupted us all.
Is it so difficult to
understand that the Egyptian people want now to try and be proud of themselves
and free of this brain wash they had been using for the last 70 years,
THe dissolution and
disbandment of the NDP, I believe it is them who call him and tell him not to
go. We are all behind you. Please don't go we will defend you. I wonder though
how can he believe that unless he listens to news that are different that to
those we hear. He still believes that he is important to keep the peace of the
region.
I want to warn all those
who think that his keeping might keep the region in hand are really wrong. This
is a disaster.
In any case, we want
to thank Mr President for his lovely career but why can't he understand that
the people have decided that he must go. And the people is the boss of the
president. Do they have a syndicate for presidents to defend him?
We also have to remember
that Hosni Moubarak has acted in a movie... Maybe he believes he is a good
actor or a convincing one. Why isn't the oscar given to him ?
TAHRIR SQUARE REVOLUTION - Day 15 of the OCCUPATION of the Square
, vendredi 11
février 2011, 00:50
Don't know what is the result of
this second disappointment to the revolutionaries ?
I believe he is trying aided by
his men to keep a hold on power!
Moubarak has dared again to
describe the protesters as sold outs to foreign powers.
This is something that made me
join the revolutionaries , up till now I was just covering the event trying to
keep a moral and truthful coverage of this revolution. After his provocative
statement, I decided to get down to the streets .
The plans for tomorrow, is that
the protests should be going on everywhere.
The deposed President (because
that is what he is actually) should feel that all what is left to him is his
bulls from the NDP, and that every non NDP should be in the streets protesting
and chanting .... "Mesh hanrawah , Howa yerawah"
We are not going , he should go
and "Erhal" GO.
I also call for all NDP members
who are not happy with what is happening to actually present their resignation
from the Party, I mean even Gamal Moubarak did, so why don't you follow him?
Wasn't Gamal the hope of the Party?
I call upon all Egyptians
from all stratas to just start a civil disobedience movement.
Strikes have started even in
those strongholds of the regime. Many a syndicate has overturned and are now in
the streets demonstrating. We have to be all one hand , and depose him by
the sheer force of numbers.
STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS ad THOSE
OF YOUR KIDS and THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS>
Tahrir Square - New fronts opened - OROUBA palace and Maspero
vendredi 11
février 2011, 01:24
From one of our
correspondent in Maspero (TV building)
Its now about control of the
message. The cause is clearly just, and the people have clearly adopted
the message. BUT, the regime, like a wounded beast, in its final death
throes is still trying to manipulate the minds of the people with all the tools
of the media at their disposal - newspaper, television, and radio.
This is the choke point. This is where we need to ensure that we maintain
pressure on the regime to a) turn journalists/newscasters to our side by
finally realizing the extent of the popular uprising and b) to prevent easy
access for the regime to the building - make it much harder for them to
continue manipulating their message. We did this successfully with the
Prime Minister - because of the demonstrations, he couldn't get to his office
and ended up delaying a meeting with the US ambassador for 2 hours. The government
will have to make a stand here - they will either need to make sure they
control the tools of the media - which would mean violently removing the
protester; or submitting to their demands and Mubarak stepping down immediately
I have just come from the radio
and television building and their are about 7,000 people there; with a few
thousand more heading there from Tahrir. The atmosphere is somewhat
tense. The building is surrounded with tanks and barbed wire. there
are heavily armed soldiers that are not exhibiting any of the friendliness that
those around Tahrir square normally do. They are not being unfriendly,
just very serious. On the first floor balconies of the radio and
television building there are two locations with soldiers standing behind heavy
machine guns pointing outwards in the direction of the crowd.
The crowds are chanting
"down with the fraudulent media, down with the fraudulent broadcasters,
down with mubarak"
We also have news that some
protesters the numbers being unconfirmed but thought to be somewhere between
400 and 2 thousands have arrived to he Orouba Palace and are standing there,
our correspondent in Khalifa el Maamoun.
Rumors have it that the Army
opened them the way to let them pass.
TAHRIR SQUARE : The kids did it ... now what?
, samedi 12
février 2011, 12:54
The revolution has pushed
out a dictator, and ended a dictatorial regime. WOW. I love it. I had
moments of discouragement but the kids were there fighting for their cause with
a determination rarely seen. They forced the police and their henchmen to
retreat . It is true that they were helped by the fact that the uprising was
all over Egypt and the security forces were over extended. Without the battles
between the security forces and the activists in Suez City and other towns, the
revolution would have failed.
Now the revolution has succeeded
in removing the dictator. Nevertheless, the situation remains unclear. What
happens to all the figureheads of the regime? A short list includes
personalities such as Safwat El Cherif, Zakareya Azmy, Fathi Sourour, Moufid
Chehab and also Hisham Talaat Moustafa. An exhaustive list would include many
more people, but it should not turn into a witch hunt. What is needed is a
process of political cleansing with prosecution of the corrupt and criminal
under a fair and independent legal system that will give them a chance to
present their case.
The National Democratic Party
must be disbanded. It is not so much a political party as a club of the same
elite that has been ruling Egypt since the mid-40's under different names with
different figureheads.
The president should be above
party politics.
If the president is a member of a
party then a condition of assuming the presidency should be that he resigns
from the party.
And I still demand the
disbandment of the NDP
TAHRIR SQUARE: The day after
dimanche 13
février 2011, 10:09
As I already pointed out
repetitively, the work to clean up Egypt has just started, if one reads the
newspapers it is very strange, on one hand some publish that President
Moubarak went out of Egypt in a Touristic trip, he needs to calm down I suppose,
on the other hand there are news of a list of 43 mainly ministers of the old
regime that have been put on a list for those forbidden to leave the country.
Already some international analysts are claiming this is more of a military
coup than a revolution. Somehow the presence of General Tantaoui , the armed
force minister, a close personal friend of the deposed dictator and one of his
most trusted assistants is kind of a sign and symbol that analysts cannot
really miss. I will though point out to Mr General, that there was a man called
Mohamed Naguib, a general too, that was overthrown by the people he helped .
There is a support Moubarak group
on Facebook that is doing a counter attack and is trying to stop the
revolution. if you want to check it
I believe that we need to get
somehow a law that would prevent anyone who had links with the NDP at any time
from being candidates for any position for the next 4 years.
