|
The new age Egyptians took to social medial platforms and other sites on the web to air their views about the regime and also for mobilizing support for the uprising. The government responded by banning internet services throughout the country. To enable people to talk about the situation in Egypt, Google and Twitter launched speak-to-tweet service, which allows users to post messages without internet connection. On 2nd February, internet connections were however restored.
Political history of Egypt
Officially Egypt is known as a republic, but it has continuously been under Emergency Law continually since 1967, with a brief exception of 18 months. President Hosni Mubarak who is currently serving his eighth term (28 years) has autocratically ruled the country all this while. He is the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and has ruled the country for about 30 years with an iron fist. Due to a constitutional amendment adopted in 2005, the parliament dominated by Mubarak's party had made it impossible for independents to run for the presidency.
Protests spread
After protests for resorting democracy spread in Arab countries, many of the countries are taking measures to prevent such an uprising by the people. It started with the ouster of Tunisian ruler Zine al Abeddine Ben Ali and then spread over to Egypt, before other countries also joined.
King Abdullah II of Jordan dismissed his government and appointed Marouf Al Bakhit as the new Prime Minister. He has asked the PM to form a government that will work towards political reforms in the country.
It is estimated that Syria will be the next to witness anti-government protests. Some organizations in the country are planning to hold nationwide rallies on the first weekend of February. The government has already started to deploy forces in anticipation of the protests. The country had send demonstrations earlier as well, but they were crushed by the government, led by President Bashar al-Assad.
Response of Government of Egypt
After days of anti-government demonstration in the country, President Hosni Mubarak has announced that he will not longer run for office, but will continue to serve his current term, which ends in September, 2011. In a taped address, Mubarak says till his term is over his main responsibility is to restore order in the country make way for an easy and peaceful transition of rule. Mubarak appointed Omar Suleiman as the vice president; he is the former spy chief of the country.
The protesters have however rejected this announcement and want Mubarak to step down immediately. Clashes erupted for the first time on 2nd February between anti and pro Mubarak groups around Tahrir Square or Midan Tahrir. Gunfire was heard and it is reported that two people have died due to this. Till now over 300 people have lost their lives and more than 1000 have been injured in the demonstrations.
