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Media Summary

Egyptian protestors clash with Mubarak supporters

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In the UK and international media this morning, all papers note that anti-government protests in Egypt turned violent as supporters of President Hosni Mubarak clashed with anti-government protesters yesterday. At least three casualties were reported and hundreds were wounded. The Telegraph notes that Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the violence in Cairo calling the   scenes that took place “despicable.” The Guardian reports that the US condemned the violence in Egypt and called on Mubarak to implement reforms. The Guardian and Reuters note that an Egyptian anti-government leader Mohamed ElBaradei condemned the violent clashes in Cairo and called on President Mubarak to step down. Reuters reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that Israel must “bolster its might” as it faces an uncertain threat in Egypt. In other news, several papers note that the President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh said that he will step down when his term expires on 2013 following protests and public pressure against his leadership.

In the Israeli press, all papers report on the violent clashes that took place overnight and yesterday in Cairo as pro-government protesters clashed with anti-government demonstrators. The papers report that at least three protesters were killed and 600 were wounded in clashes. Haaretz notes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that a democratic Egypt would not threaten peace with Israel. Meanwhile, head of the Shin Bet (Israel’s security service) Yuval Diskin said yesterday that the prisoner exchange deal for the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit stalled because Hamas would not stop their demands. Diskin also said that the media made the negotiations more difficult. The Jerusalem Post notes that Israeli Ambassador to the UN Meron Reuben called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of the Security Council Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti to condemn the continued rocket strikes fired from Gaza into Israel. The papers also report that Netanyahu has delayed the announcement for an interim IDF chief of staff as ministers proposed extending the current Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi’s term until a replacement is found.