Finally the Arab people revolt against their regimes which have been supported for so long by the Western powers. Let's hope they can kick out the traitors.
Egypt Protests: LIVE Updates As Opposition Fills The Streets
AP/The Huffington Post First Posted: 01/28/11 08:13 AM Updated: 01/28/11 11:36 AM
Read More: #jan25, Cairo, Cairo Protests, Day Of Rage, Egypt, Egypt Day Of Rage, Egypt Facebook, Egypt Live, Egypt Press, Egypt Protest, Egypt Protestors, Egypt Protests, Egypt Protests Photos, Egypt Twitter,Egyptian Protest, Egyptian Protests, Egyptian Protests Facebook, Facebook Egypt, Hosni Mubarak,Mubarak Opposition, Mubarak Protests, Muslim Brotherhood, Muslim Brotherhood Arrests, Muslim Brotherhood Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood Protests, Tunisia Protests, Tunisia Revolution, World News
CAIRO (AP) - The Egyptian capital Cairo was the scene of violent chaos Friday, when tens of thousands of anti-government protesters stoned and confronted police, who fired back with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons. It was a major escalation in what was already the biggest challenge to authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak's 30 year-rule.
Internet and cell-phone services were disrupted across Egypt starting overnight and throughout the day as authorities used extreme measures to hamper protesters from organizing the mass rallies called after Friday prayers.
Police also fired water cannons at one of the country's leading pro-democracy advocates, Mohamed ElBaradei, and his supporters as they joined the latest wave of protests after noon prayers. Police used batons to beat some of ElBaradei's supporters, who surrounded him to protect him.
A soaking wet ElBaradei was trapped inside a mosque while hundreds of riot police laid siege to it, firing tear gas in the streets around so no one could leave. The tear gas canisters set several cars ablaze outside the mosque and several people fainted and suffered burns.
Large groups of protesters, in the thousands, were gathered at at least six venues in Cairo, a city of about 18 million people, and many of them were on the move marching toward major squares and across Nile bridges.
They are demanding Mubarak's ouster and venting their rage at years of government neglect of rampant poverty, unemployment and rising food prices.
Have a tip you want to share? You can leave a message for HuffPost at 00-1-315-636-0962. If you know someone there and have email access, send us an email ategypt@huffingtonpost.com. Our Skype account is HuffPostReports.
You can follow the latest updates below.
Hillary Clinton Urges Egypt 'To Allow Peaceful Protests'
The Secretary of State spoke on the Egyptian protests, saying that the U.S. 'urges Egyptian authorities to allow peaceful protests and reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communications."
Meanwhile, President Obama has received a 40 minute briefing on the situation, reports HuffPost's Sam Stein. Here's a picture of that meeting:
Curfew Defiance Continues
According to Breaking News:
 | @ BreakingNews : Protesters resume demonstrations after final prayer of the day #Egypt #Jan25 |
It is a little after 7pm EST in Egypt right now.
Gibbs On Egypt
The White House Press Secretary tweets:
 | @ PressSec : Very concerned about violence in Egypt - government must respect the rights of the Egyptian people & turn on social networking and internet |
No mention of Mubarak or a possible regime change.
Party Headquarters On Fire
Al Jazeera is reporting that smoke is emerging from the National Democratic Party headquarters in downtown Cairo. The AP reports:
Egypt's military has deployed on the streets of Cairo for the first time since anti-government protesters took up their challenge to the regime of President Hosni Mubarak four days ago.
Parts of the ruling party headquarters in Cairo were going up in flames apparently set by enraged protesters demanding Mubarak's ouster.
Curfew Defied
Protestors are defying the curfew put into place by Mubarak. There are reports that protestors are marching on the October 6 bridge, and that they have set an armored car on fire on fire there. Al Jazeera is monitoring the situation.
Mubarak To Speak, Curfew About To Take Effect
CNN is reporting that President Mubarak is expected to speak soon, as Egypt prepares for the enforcement of a curfew.
Al Jazeera LIveblogs Police Visit
Al Jazeera's Cairo office is getting a visit from state security forces, which it is liveblogging. Latest updates:
5:50 pm - Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin is watching protesters gathered on the street outside our bureau, chanting that they want to live in "dignity and peace." Meanwhile, we hear police are approaching the front door of our office.
5:36 pm - No update on what security forces are doing in the building housing our bureau, but Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin keeps broadcasting. On the streets, as if on cue, Cairenes are gathering on once-busy thoroughfares for evening prayers.
Army Enters Cairo
The military is reportedly entering Cairo for the first time. @SultanAlQassemi posted thisscreengrab from Al Jazeera of what is reportedly army vehicles entering the city.
The Guardian is reporting that Mubarak has asked the army to join police in taking control of security.
Ben Wedemen is reporting that crowds are cheering the army, which is widely respected in Egypt.
Syria Reportedly Suspends All Internet
UPDATE: The internet is not down in Syria. New reports show that disruptions are occurring, but allInternet services have not been suspended.
Al Arabiya is now reporting that Syria is also blocking all internet service. | @ AlArabiya_Eng : Syria suspends all Internet serviceshttp://www.alarabiya.net/en_default.html |
October 6 Bridge
AL Jazeera has video of water cannons being fired and tear gas being lobbed by police in Cairo. Protestors are reportedly gathering on the October 6 bridge.
Dead Body Carried Through Streets
In Suez, protestors are carrying the dead body of a compatriot through the streets, accompanied by shouts of "You have killed my brother!" reports Reuters.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/egypt-protests-live-updat_n_815233.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/egypt-protests-live-updat_n_815233.html
