AlJazeera and Reuters are reporting that the Egyptian government will redeploy security forces country-wide starting Monday except for Tahrir Square.

I can't believe how can the government do this. The police are much hated now because of the system brutality and protecting the regime for decades, their clashes with the public from 25 to 28 January and killing many of them, and finally for abandoning the country and let it fall into chaos, or directing doing this looting.

State TV announced that AlJazeera permits have been withdrawn, and is prevented from operating in the whole country. The signal of the Arabic channel on NileSat has been cut. New frequencies have been announced by AlJazeera so people can tune to the new frequences. However, I can still see them broadcasting live from Tahrir Square in Cairo on a North American satellite.

AlJazeera showing military fighter jets and helicopters buzzing on low altitude over the protesters. The protesters raised their voice shouting anti-regime and anti-Mubarak slogans in defiance as these flew by.

Talked to my brother a few minutes ago. It is now 02:00 on Sunday there (19:00 Eastern Time).

After calling his land line, his wife told me that he is down in the street, protecting the neighborhood. I was able to call him on his mobile phones, so the service is back.

Called my mother just now. This is an update from Alexandria as of 29 January 2011 10 am (EST).

As the police stations were torched, some of the suspects inside have escaped. Some criminals has taken advantage of the absence of police and formed gangs, robbing what they can.

Egypt consumes 19 billion cigarettes a year.

Alexandria is the first Egyptian city to ban smoking in government buildings.

The cynic in me sees grumpy government employees getting more grumpy, and not being on their desk for smoke breaks.

But overall, this is long overdue. As someone who can't stand tobacco smoke, I hope this is enforced for the better health of everyone.