previous episodes [ 25, 26, 27 January ] [ 28-01] [29-01 ] [ 30-01] [31-01 & 1-02 ] [ 02, 03, 04-02 ] [ 05, 06, 07, February 08 ] This picture released by the U.S. site shows journalism.org the extraordinary impact that events have had on the Egyptian media in the United States. It is "the most important international issue of the past four years - exceeding all reporting on the war in Iraq, the earthquake in Haiti and the conflict in Afghanistan." - Therefore, one can speak of a " media overkill": an escalation and a hype, not without consequences on the events themselves. Because "the whole world is watching Egypt" means any information concerning the country is immediately analyzed, "decrypted", commented. And it is this "world view" that gives uplift of the Egyptian people against dictatorship dimension "World" that he probably would not have had without his "projection" media, which also represents a significant hazard. For if the "world" tends to project its own expectations and fears, you may miss both what is actually happening in Egypt and the real aspirations of the Egyptian population. Indeed, various projections, whether they come from the West or Islamic groups such as "double" the popular uprising in a boisterous polyphony of comments and interpretations, the hubbub may end up making the inaudible voice of opposition Egypt itself, however, essential to the advent of democracy on the banks of the Nile. The problem is that this is probably the first popular revolution "covered live and continuously" by international media and relayed to a gigantic scale by the Internet. "Everyone" wants to be at the top, left to drown and to deny hearing the voice of Egypt, who must fight against the huge "visibility" of such statement by a U.S. Secretary of State or such other an Islamist leader, who must be heard in the noise generated by the comments of this announcement Vice-President Suleiman or such other spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood. Difficult in these conditions to establish a democratic debate at the national level, where all voices have equal weight Egyptian, the same "air time" as they used to say. We are entitled to ask: what is the purpose of "media" whose voices are on the scene of the globalized information? Is this a "self-promotion," an enhancement of their own person or body to which they belong? Is it to influence events and actors in Egyptian? Is it to benefit This event platform to deliver a different message? - It is tempting to answer yes to these three questions: 1) The independent commentators (and I do not exclude myself) are trying of course the "buzz". For us it is safe to let go of our bitterness (which I do not). Security will not knock on our door at night, or take away in the street for questioning and muscled a stay in solitary confinement. In Egypt, this game is far from won. Journalists "official" know something. - As for Al Jazeera whose "coverage" continuous has been helpful to the popular movement, it has since the war in Iraq (2003) private broadcast on the cable network in the United States: it benefits from today's reports indeed important to ask for its integration, which will be probably be granted. - Google was entitled to two free advertising: First, the U.S. giant has developed with Twitter (and SayNow
) a means to the Egyptians tweeter by telephone that the group did not fail to "dedicate the Egyptian people", then the recent glory Wael Ghonim invariably presented as a Google executive
and online activist
, obviously reflects the company's California ...
2) Attempts to influence events in Egypt and its actors are many. The concerns relate primarily Western political stability in the Middle East that, if one looks closer, more like a powder keg threatening to explode at the slightest misstep. They also concern the economic stability in this period of bankruptcies and unemployment, financial crashes repeatedly. A small drop of water from the Nile here could also be the final straw. They then relate the famous "clash of civilizations", jointly advocated by the ideologues of George W. Bush and Osama Bin Laden, and again these days, in a very insidious by French intellectuals Alexandre Adler, Bernard-Henri Levy and Alain Finkielkraut through their almost obsessive fear of Islam (cf.
analysis of Pascal Boniface ). These fears Western which may be added those of autocratic regimes in the Arab world and of course the current Israeli government, giving rise to several attempts to recover and often contradictory misinformation ... 3) The politicians of all countries enjoy the course of these events to get their own messages and counter their opponents. In France, the controversy surrounding the Foreign Minister, Alliot-Marie (which are now added the holiday Egyptian Prime Minister Fillon) is symptomatic for use "typically French" uprising of Egyptian (noticeable also in the statements of Mr.. Adler, Levy and Finkielkraut). - Other messages may also be issued, including advertising for our liberal societies of consumption which, after all, are not as bad as one might believe in studying the unemployment figures, the number of families live the edge of poverty, those who are indebted, surviving with minimum social ...
] [17:00] (*) Here summary information on the sixteenth day of protests that have filtered through Al Jazeera
: - In the night and early morning , clashes took place in the governorate of Al-Wadi al-Jadid, which includes quarter desert southwest of the country. According to the Egyptian newspaper Youm7 , protesters set fire to at least one police vehicle, opened fire on them. At least eight people were seriously injured, others have died without the new has been confirmed. - updates: Two dead and dozens injured in the province of Al-Wadi al-Jadid, which comprises five groups of scattered oases. According to AFP
, there is even 3 dead and hundreds wounded in clashes that lasted for two days: "The angry mob responded by setting fire to seven government buildings, including two police and a police barracks, a court and the local headquarters of the National Democratic Party of Hosni Mubarak. "- This evening, the toll stood at five killed, who died in police firing into the crowd. - The three unions independent of Egypt has called for demonstrations at 11am. - New strikes took place in Mahalla and Suez. Some 10,000 workers in different factories and cities went on strike during the past 24 hours. Most call for an increase and better working conditions, but they reinforce the movement toward democracy. - Update: 6,000 workers would strike in the only city Cairo, according to a correspondent of Al Jazeera , which states that unions do not demand the resignation of Mubarak, but they take the opportunity to voice their discontent and their wage demands from the government. Al Masry Al Youm reported that 3,000 railwaymen went on strike today, some sitting on the tracks to prevent trains from passing. The mobilization of bus drivers is scheduled for tomorrow.
- Egyptian Minister of Health continues to challenge the number of victims of violence advanced by Human Rights Watch, who spoke of 302 dead now at least. The Department intends to publish its own statistics in a few days. - The words of Omar Suleiman on Tuesday last are strongly criticized. The protestors fear such a coup. According to Samir Abdul-Rahman, a spokesman for five major youth movements present Tahrir Square, "he threatens to impose martial law, which means that everyone, Tahrir Square, will be crushed ... but what will Does the 70 million Egyptians remaining who come after us? " It is concocting a "disastrous scenario ... We're on strike, we will protest and we will not negotiate until Mubarak resigned. If someone wants to threaten us, so be it ..." - With central Cairo, protesters also took possession of the area around parliament, where they settled for an "indefinite period". - The army has reinforced its presence outside and inside the building, but there is currently no sign of hostility towards the demonstrators. - One of the problems raised by a commentator on Al Jazeera is this: Protesters demanding the resignation of president. If it goes really, the power will be transferred, not the vice president but the president of parliament, which must hold elections within sixty days without being able to change the Constitution. However, it supports the National Democratic Party. Indeed, 90% of the parliament consists of members of NDP members. And a third of parliament at least must give its approval to any new candidate to the highest functions of the state. A real dilemma!
. The
[22:00] The Attorney General of Egypt announced an inquiry into violence Al-Wadi al-Jadid and the murder of journalist Mohamed Mahmoud Ahmed (Egyptian Newspaper
, who was killed during the protests. Symbolic funerals were held in his honor Tahrir Square.
Tonight, many protesters are still gathered, and a sit-in is held in Parliament, sought to be dissolved. (Al Jazeera
(image: al jazeera ) [12:00] (*) This morning of the seventeenth day of protests, the Guardian
reports that the military secretly detained hundreds, perhaps thousands of opponents, some of whom were tortured, sometimes to electricity, according to testimony gathered by the British daily. - According to activists of human rights, the army would no longer be neutral and be involved in kidnappings and acts of torture, atrocities that the Egyptians had always attributed to state security and not the military. - Al Jazeera reports that Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, the military threat, a force largely neutral so far, would intervene in case of escalation: "If chaos were to prevail, the armed forces intervene to control the country, a step that would result ... a very dangerous situation. " (Source: Egyptian news agency MENA
) - The Qatari channel also tells us that the new Minister of Culture, Gaber Asfour, resigned. According to his family, he has done for health reasons, but according to the Egyptian daily al-Ahram
Asfour, who is also a writer, has been criticized by his fellow writers for having accepted the position. He was the only new face in the government reshuffled. . The small sentence of Vice President on the American channel ABC
Tuesday night: Omar Suleiman said he wanted democracy. "But when will we achieve it? When people from this culture of democracy." Dixit. - He also told American TV that does not take over as head of state in place of President Mubarak nor stand for election in September 2011. Reason: I'm getting old! (Born in 1936, he will turn 75 in July, Hosni Mubarak has 8 more!)
[1:15 p.m.] Some 3,000 lawyers marched from their union offices in downtown Cairo to the palace Abedeen, a building history is one of the official residences of the president. They are moving now towards Tahrir Square will join the other protesters ..
[1:40 p.m.] A delegation a thousand doctors in white coats arrived Tahrir Square to the cheers of the crowd. [14:00] On Al Jazeera , we learn that the security chief of the town of Wadi al-Jadid (New Valley governorate) was sacked and the police captain who gave the order to fire on the demonstrators was arrested and will be accountable to justice at least five people were killed and dozens wounded in three days of clashes between police and citizens. - The Criminal Court has banned three former ministers to leave the country and their assets have been frozen by the government. - Prime Minister said forming a committee to gather evidence on the "illegitimate practices" that have marked the events of recent weeks. The committee will take into account information provided by citizens and civil society organizations then report to the state prosecutor. [15:00] Some news published by the Guardian : In Port Said, hundreds of protesters, who demand lower rents, burned a police station and at least ten vehicles for security.
Update: Things seem calm down in this Mediterranean city at the mouth of the Suez Canal. - In Cairo, thousands of people demonstrate in Tahrir Square again. Meanwhile, workers and trade unionists are organizing strikes and sit-ins in a variety of businesses and state agencies. Activists of the youth movements are hoping that tomorrow will match those protests planned for Tuesday and Friday. - In Alexandria and in the cities of Sohag and Assiut in the south of the country, strikes and sit-ins are also held, sources said .- An opposition party approved by the State, Tagammu, withdrew reform discussions with the government, saying that Mubarak administration has not included the "minimum level of popular demands." [3:45 p.m.] Hoda Abdel-Hamid (Al Jazeera
) reports that Cairenes receive SMS from Mahmoud Wagdy, the new interior minister, who wrote: "The police back in the streets and began serving the people. " The reporter wondered if this is not a "public relations campaign, as security forces and Interior Ministry are hated, even those who do not support the protests."
[17:00] Tahrir Square, Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports that youth organizations have reached an agreement with other opposition movements, including Muslim Brotherhood, to demand the resignation of men of the regime and the dissolution of parliament, the formation of a new transitional government, including a representative of the army, a judge and probably representatives of civil life, and the application of an interim constitution, drafted by experts in order to hold parliamentary elections and presidential elections within a year. - Correspondent of Al Jazeera also reported in SMS traffic, which call for the mobilization 20 million people for this weekend that begins tomorrow, Friday. [5:15 p.m.] New World through the newsroom: Mubarak might resign tonight! Here is the statement from the BBC : A member of the ruling party in Egypt has told the BBC he "hoped" that President Hosni Mubarak would transfer power to Vice-President Omar Suleiman. Hossan Badrawi, Secretary General of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said that Mr. Mubarak would "probably" address the nation tonight. These comments followed remarks by Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, held on
BBC Arabic: according to him, the scenario of the resignation of President Mubarak was discussed. (in Guardian )
[17:30] Al Jazeera
speaks of a statement "ambiguous" from the army (at the moment on the state TV) confirming "its commitment and its responsibility to protect people and safeguard the interests of the nation, and its duty to protect wealth and property of the population of Egypt. " The spokesman said the army claims that people were "legal and legitimate. "According to the editor of live blog, Military Council could not have met President Mubarak, who is yet the commander in chief. This significant information appears to confirm a little later.
[18 : 00] The live blogs quote a CIA official who says that the resignation of Hosni Mubarak is "very likely" ( Guardian, Al Jazeera ). [6:15 p.m.] Always Live Tahrir Square Hoda Abdel-Hamid has the impression that the massive demonstrations planned for tomorrow are already started: in fact, the images show an impressive crowd the central square in Cairo, which moves and sings in the light of street lamps and projectors. [18:30] The Guardian now cites the words of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq: "Everything is normal. [!] Everything is still in the hands of the president. The Supreme Leader [Mubarak] is required informed of everything that happens in the Supreme Council of hosts. " [19:00] According to the state TV, President Mubarak will make a statement tonight. - Newspapers - The World as and Der Spiegel [20:00] In the uncertainty which they are placed, commentators furnish pending with caution: nobody wants to be wrong, but everyone wants to be a ringside seat to announce, analyze, comment on the expected withdrawal of President Mubarak and take the temperature Tahrir Square. [8:15 p.m.] The Guardian reflected (with Associated Press
) a statement from the Ministry of Information that Mubarak will not resign (source: State TV). [8:40 p.m.] Occasionally a meeting with students, Obama briefly mentions Egypt: "It is perfectly clear that we are witnessing the march of history ... It is a transformative moment for the people Egypt calls for change ... A population of all ages and backgrounds ... But youth is the vanguard ... A new generation, your generation ... and we want these young people know that the United States of America will support a [hesitation] transition in the rules to democracy. " [8:45 p.m.] New newsfeed from the Guardian
amendments to the Constitution and the removal of an item, perhaps also the end of the state emergency, he apologizes to victims of violence but will not resign ...
[10:45 p.m.] The televised speech that President Mubarak read on a teleprompter, begins. Some fragments noted in passing (back then): It is for the youth of Tahrir Square ... with a speech from the heart ... as a father speaks to his children [!]... He presents his condolences to the families of victims ... He wants to keep its promises ... The demands of the people are fair and legitimate ... He does not want its actions to be dictated by outside forces ... He wants to ensure the constitution and remain in office until the appointment of a new president in September 2011 by way of free and fair elections ... He recalls that it does not represent ... He wants to ensure a peaceful transition of power ... It diligent investigation into the violence ... Six articles of the Constitution will be amended ... It transfers some [unspecified] of power to Vice President Suleiman ... His priority is to restore the confidence of the Egyptians .. The present situation can not continue ... This situation has nothing to do with him ... with Hosni Mubarak [!]... It calls for national dialogue ... to restore confidence in the economy ... He begins to develop its political and military career ... He said distressed by the comments of some of his fellow ... He hears place the interests of the nation above all ... The country back on its feet ... He appealed to the pride of Egypt ... he gets lost in digressions own to suggest national unity ... He will not leave Egyptian soil before being buried ... [Amen!] [11:00 p.m.] Tahrir Square, the crowd is even more furious that she was delighted to finally get satisfaction tonight ... People waved their shoes as an insult to Mubarak ... Once it was established that the president would not resign, people have stopped listening to the speech broadcast on the place and started shouting: "Go! Go away! "
picture: al jazeera It is quite possible that this speech has put some oil on the fire given the announcement effects and (false) joys that preceded it. Once again, reality has made the revolution against the foot ... but history has not said its last word!
[11:35 p.m.] is Omar Suleiman, who now speaks out on state TV. Here are some snippets seized upon (then completed): He appeals to the Egyptian people ... It recalls that dialogue is opened ... the timing was set ... he speaks of the peaceful transition ... He says he wants to implement all the process he has promised ... It calls on all citizens to look to the future ... He says "we" will make a bright future ... It evokes the freedom and democracy ... He said we can not tolerate the chaos ... that must be taken by the hand ... that the country is the highest priority ... He asked the youth to go home ... back to work ... not to listen to satellite channels [ie Al Jazeera ] ... to listen only to his conscience ... He said that we rely on God, institutions and armed forces ... It calls for walking forward ... teamwork ... He says working with all his strength for this country ... [11:45 p.m.] Commentators speak of the anger people, after these two speeches that do nothing new ...
Friday, February 11, 2011
News Feeds [Al Jazeera
] [ Guardian ] [ Spiegel ] [ World ] [00:00] On Al Jazeera, a soldier, retired Major, calls on the phone these interventions serious mistake. He diagnosed mental illness among the president and talk about an insult to the people. He expects the second statement of the Supreme Council of hosts hoping the president will be removed from office. - Edward Beck, a former U.S. ambassador to Egypt, also arrives to the conclusion that the military could take things in hand, while fearing much "turmoil" ( turmoil) in the coming days. [00:30] The Guardian cites an interview (on CNN ) of the Egyptian ambassador to the USA, Sameh Shoukry, who said that Hosni Mubarak has transferred all his powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman. Mr. Shoukry said that Mr. Mubarak was "de jure President
" and that Mr. Suleiman was now "de facto president
" then he said: "I want it [the information] Vice president. " He added: "He [O. Suleiman] is now in charge of the full authority of the presidency under the Constitution." [9:25] Eighteenth day of protests. - According to Al Jazeera , which incorporates an Egyptian news agency MENA , senior military officials held a meeting "important" and will make a statement to the population. The commander in chief and Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, chaired the meeting of the Supreme Council of the armed forces. [9:50] An officer who joined the protesters Tahrir Square said that 15 other ranking officers went through the side of the demonstrators. "The movement of solidarity with the people armed forces has begun," said Major Ali Ahmed Shouman to Reuters (in Al Jazeera
). [11:50] The declaration of the army has fallen. will be terminated in the state of emergency when the situation will be resolved, the transition to democracy, free and fair presidential elections, amendments to the Constitution and protecting the nation will be guaranteed. There was no mention of MM. Mubarak and Suleiman. Meanwhile, Tahrir Square was filled, while the Friday prayer is preparing ... [12:00] Commentators believe that this statement is vague and does not meet public expectations. The army also appears to plead for the evacuation of the street and a return to normal (which would end the state of emergency). [13:30] After Friday prayers, people continue to flock to the vast central Cairo where, it seems, the space starts to seriously fail.
picture: al jazeera
[14:00] The Supreme Council of the armed forces is again meeting: expected declaration No. 3. - In Alexandria, the crowd also took possession of the street. - According to al-Arabiya TV
, protesters have taken control of government institutions at Suez. - On Twitter, it was reported that the airport police have joined the workers on strike (in Guardian ). - On Al Jazeera , we learn that Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Mahala, Tanta, Ismailia and Suez, chanting "Mubarak must leave." - According to the Guardian a slogan runs Tahrir Square: "The place is full, go to the presidential palace." [2:40 p.m.] Egyptian blogger Zeinobia said that the mobilization now affect the following cities: Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura, Damnhur, Tanta, Mahalla ASuite, Sohag, Bani Sawf, Suez, Port- Said, Damietta (in Guardian ). A moment of relaxation in this stressful situation:
Al Jazeera offers an English translation of some of the lyrics (I retranslated): I went down and I said I will not - I have written on every wall that I will not - All barriers have collapsed, our weapon was our dream, the future is crystal clear to us - We waited a long time, we always seek our place, we are still looking for a place that belongs to us, in all corners of the country. - The air of freedom calls to every corner of our country,
air of freedom rang. - We will rewrite history if you're one of us, join us and does not prevent us from achieving our dreams. -
Guardian) - According to the government party, the president left the capital with his family to Sharm el-Sheikh, where he has just arrived ... (In
Spiegel) - This is the state newspaper, Al Ahram newspaper
who reports: Tens of thousands of protesters surrounded ten buildings in Suez government, claiming they would remain until the resignation of Mubarak.
[4:20 p.m.] According to a correspondent of Al Jazeera , tens or hundreds of thousands of protesters marched on the palace of Ras el-Tin, another President's official residence in Alexandria .- The Spiegel reports that the entire neighborhood of Heliopolis Cairo, where the presidential palace, is locked. The army has brought heavy artillery to prevent the attack of the palace. Military police control the people and temporarily stops some. But the protesters remained peaceful and the crowd continues to pour to the palace ... "
[4:40 p.m.] New: The state TV broadcasts live images of events (listed by Al Jazeera
), while the crowd gathers in front of its premises. - Al Jazeera reports that protesters leave Tahrir Square to reach other key points in Cairo ...
In these difficult circumstances crosses the country, President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as president. He has instructed the Armed Forces Council to direct the affairs of state.
And here are the pictures:
- End of this chronicle of a popular uprising Egypt - of Caution: This story is not over - the next days, weeks and months will show whether the army is now in business, keep its promises of a peaceful transition democracy by allowing the holding of free and fair elections within a reasonable time, restoring freedom of the press and diversity of public opinion and ensuring a better distribution of wealth ...
Guardian 
) 
[16:00] The Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen is the first European leader to publicly demand the withdrawal of President Mubarak, "Mubarak is history. He needs to resign." (In 
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