20110125
Xinhua
CAIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Egyptian protesters hit the streets Tuesday in an unprecedented demonstration against the government, causing downtown Cairo to become standstill and gaining momentum all over the country rapidly.
There was no official figure of the protesters, but about 93, 000 people said on a Facebook page they would participate in a peaceful march on Tuesday described as the "Day of Anger" against torture, corruption, poverty and unemployment.
Marchers in Cairo have reached the Egyptian Foreign Ministry chanting anti-government slogans, going through the path in front of the ruling National Democratic Party headquarter.
"We do not want Mubarak," shouted protesters in Cairo, in reference to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who has been in power for three decades. Other protesters chanted "Revolution, Revolution."
According to eyewitnesses, more than 1,000 protesters marched from Ramsis Square to Tahrir Square, breaking down central security forces cordons.
"More than 10,000 protesters are now in Gamet el Dawel street in Cairo," tweeted Ayman Nour, head of the opposition Ghad Party.
Moreover, around 300 protestors hit the streets in south of Rafah, chanting against the emergency law and calling for the release of the detainees, according to Xinhua reporter there.
Reports circulate that over 3,000 in the Suez governorates are chanting for two hours.
The online activists had a number of demands including the resignation of Interior Minster Habib al-Adly who is being held accountable for human rights violations, the end of the decades- old emergency law, as well as increase of the minimum wage and rescheduling the People's Assembly elections to which they call is a fraud.
Habib al-Adly said in an interview published on Tuesday for state newspaper Al Ahram that the security apparatus will secure and protect the protestors if these demonstrations are aimed only at expressing their opinion.
However, he added "the security agency is capable of deterring any attempt to undermine the citizens and will not be lenient towards any attempt to damage property or threaten security."
Amnesty International urged the Egyptian authorities not to crackdown on planned nationwide demonstrations.
No clashes has been reported so far. Egyptian authorities have issued warnings that the police will deal firmly and decisively with those who take part in unauthorized protests.
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