Update on the Egyptian Revolution - 017

The Telegraph reported that Omar Suleiman was the most acceptable candidate for Israel to succeed Mubrak, among other things.

The political situation can be described as stalemate. The regime gave more concessions, but none of the asked for demands. They raised salaries for public sector employees by 15%, and promised to lift the emergency law, and have more press freedom.

There are planned marches to the TV building overlooking the Nile, in protest of the lies that it spews non-stop.

In other news, it seems the Al-Ahram newspaper are now taking a more neutral stance towards the revolution. This was the main government mouthpieces, and staunchly pro-regime.

There are many banners on their web site that point to the Shabab (youth) web site. They are now covering calls for Mubarak to step down, signs making fun of him , and all that. The comments from readers though are still affected by the same lies that were spread on February 2nd though.

In Alexandria, the protests are planned for every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. The numbers are massive.

Wael Ghoneim, the admin of the Facebook page "We are all Khaled Saeed" was released from State Security Police custody, and was interviewed on a popular talk show by Mona El Shazly on Dream TV.

The Tahrir Square has become "Tahrir City", with tents and makeshift shelters. It has a memorial for the martyrs who have fallen. There is a Lost and found desk including wallets, mobile phones, eyeglasses, sunglasses, ID cards, ...etc. A barber is giving free haircuts for the revolutionaries. There are food vendors now too. Also, folklore shows are held.

Even a mock Zar ritual was conducted so the "evil spirit" would depart.

Mahmoud Sabra, aide to Mubarak from 1984 to 2002 spoke out on TV, sharply criticizing Mubarak. He said that Gamal was being indeed groomed to take over. He also said that Mubarak ordered the 2000 elections to be altered after the Muslim Brotherhood gained a majority in the first round.

Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, a university professor and former advisor to Suzanne Mubarak was also on TV. He says that he saw the transition of Mubarak and his family from ordinary people to wealthy tyrants because of the hunger for power and money. He was one of the first people to publicly criticize the inheritance scenario, and jokingly call it Gomloukeya (a pun on Republican Monarchy).

Human Rights Watch has counted 297 deaths in Egypt by visiting hospitals in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.

CBC's Crisis in Egypt has good coverage for the Canadian audience.

I called more cousins and second cousins today. One of them is in Zaqaziq. They are all happy and feel a sense of transformation for the country and society by this revolution.

A surgeon/hospital director friend goes in everyone, with his two daughters, and wife (a physician).

In other news, I found that I was quoted in this France24 article.