BICOM

Protests in Cairo are continuing today with up to a million people expected to flock to Tahrir Square, after a week of anti-regime protests that have left 41 people dead. Protesters clashed yesterday with riot police, following the transitional military council’s decision to hold parliamentary elections next week without a firm commitment to transfer power to a civilian leadership. Protesters also demonstrated against the appointment of former-prime minister Kamal Ganzouri as the new “national salvation” government head. Protesters called on the public to take to the streets on “last chance Friday” in demand of a national civilian emergency government.

Ganzouri accepted a request from the ruling generals to form a new government. Ganzouli served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and carried out a number of financial reforms. While many Egyptians regard Ganzouli as an honest politician, the fact that he had served under deposed president Hosni Mubarak may stir up opposition from those who demand that the new government be free of any ties to the old regime.

Several rallies are scheduled to take place today after noon prayers. The Muslim Brotherhood will demonstrate “for Jerusalem,” the anti-regime protesters will rally in Tahrir Square and the ruling military council had organised a support rally on behalf of the “silent majority movement.” Nevertheless, the military asked its supporters to cancel the protest later yesterday, fearing only a few would turn up.

Meanwhile yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that maintaining the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty is in the world’s interest. He added that the treaty created “economic stability, quiet and many other things for Egypt, for Israel and for other states.”