Protesters back on Egypt streets after Mubarak fires cabinet

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Thousands of protesters marched to central Cairo on Saturday

Fresh protests erupted in Egypt Saturday after President Hosni Mubarak fired his cabinet in a midnight address amid a wave of demonstrations against his rule. He's due to appoint a new government.

Anti-government protests in Egypt entered their fifth day on Saturday as thousands of protesters gathered in central Cairo. It comes a day after violent and unprecedented overnight demonstrations in defiance of a curfew.

Demonstrators poured into the central Tahrir square demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Similar crowds are reported to be gathering in the cities of Suez and Alexandria.

"Mubarak, out!" the protesters chanted, as army tanks were stationed around the Cairo square and with police notably absent.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Smoke billows from a building after protesters clashed with police overnight.Protesters have overwhelmed the police forces in parts of Cairo and other cities around Egypt, and overnight the army replaced the police in guarding government buildings and other key areas.

New administration to be announced

The renewed protests come after Mubarak appeared on television overnight to announce that the government had been sacked and promising economic and political reforms. But the president refused angry calls shouted by large crowds across Egypt, to step down.

"I will not shy away from taking any decision that maintains the security of every Egyptian," Mubarak said.

The outgoing cabinet is expected to formally submit its resignation at a meeting around midday local time (1000 UTC), and a new government is expected to be formed swiftly.

"The president will announce who will be the next prime minister. But what I understand from the president (in his speech) is that the government should be formed very fast today," Magdy Rady, cabinet spokesman, told Reuters.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The army has not intervened in protests

On Friday, Mubarak declared a curfew from 6:00 pm until 7:00 am local time in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez and asked the army to work with the police to maintain security and protect public establishments.

Mobile phone services have been partially restored in Egypt after a government-ordered a communications blackout on an unprecedented scale. Protesters have been using text messaging and social networking websites to coordinate demonstrations.

Rising death toll

The unprecedented protests against Mubarak's 30-year rule have left scores dead.

News reports say at least 18 people were killed in Friday's clashes with security forces in several cities. Hundreds of people have been injured. The overall death toll is reported to be as high as 27.

The ruling National Democratic Party's headquarters in Cairo is still reported to be ablaze, more than 12 hours after it was set alight by protesters.

Author: Natalia Dannenberg (Reuters, AP, AFP)
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar

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