Egypt's military begins clearing Tahrir Square

[Rhiannon12866]

Source: MSNBC

Traffic returns for first time in more than two weeks, soldiers take down protesters' tents

CAIRO — Egypt's military is taking down the makeshift tents of protesters who camped out on Tahrir Square in an effort to allow traffic and normal life to return to central Cairo.

A few resisted the line of troops and there was some pushing and shoving Sunday morning as the tents were removed, but the process was generally peaceful. Some officers talked to protesters.

"We do not want any protesters to sit in the square after today," Mohamed Ibrahim Moustafa Ali, the head of military police, told protesters and reporters, as soldiers removed tents from the square, epicenter of the 18-days of protests that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

Traffic also returned for the first time in more than two weeks to Tahrir.

Protesters, who have vowed to stay in the square to hold the army to its commitments, chanted "Peacefully, peacefully" as the soldiers moved.






Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41558249/ns/world_news-africa/

[RandomThoughts]

1. First off.

The articles on that topic really don't make much sense, besides also being mixed metaphors in many posts, even literally they don't make sense.

There was an article about appointing a vp for the first time in Egypt history.

Then there were comments on how things are done constitutionally, or should be.

Rediculous contradiction there.


So I not been listening to posts on the subject, :shrug: I support the concept of democracy, self rule, and breaking up the consolidations.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I'm just concerned about the military clearing the streets, since not everyone is ready to leave.

But I take your point about the contradictions in the constitutionality of all that's occurred. We're all hoping for Egypt's version of democracy, based on self rule. :hi:

[RandomThoughts]

3. And breaking up consolidations, with good education and information

for an informed population.

Democracy is a component of self rule, accountable elections, and accurate information are also part of that.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I agree completely.

Good analysis. All these components are essential. :hi:

[dipsydoodle]

5. Cleaning the square was how it came over over here

The Army and the protestors "cleaning" the square and furthermore announcing they would now reconvene next Friday and all future Fridays until they have democracy.

They should change the name to Revolution Square. They've got those in most large towns on the route up from Santiago de Cuba to Havana - the path of the Revolution.

Hasta La Victoria Siempre

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Thanks for the information!

This article does quote the BBC, which did have live coverage.

Live video of the square, broadcast on the BBC, showed soldiers moving in and dismantling tents. The British network's reporter on the ground said several hundred protesters were stuck on a traffic island the center of the square as traffic resumed.

Volunteers and municipal workers had already worked to clear debris from the streets, the BBC report said.

We did see footage here of the protesters, themselves, cleaning the streets, pretty cool, but up-to-the-minute TV news, at night here on a weekend, is practically non existent. :( :hi:

[dipsydoodle]

8. The issue as usual

may be the extent to which your news coverage over there get edited, twisted , disorted , whatever.

I do appreciate that the BBC ,Sky , Al Jazz , France24 , Press , RT etc , even using the same camera footage, use different commentaries but it was obvious from the footage I've seen that the Army and the protestors were helping each other which was good to see - kinda bonding.

I've mentioned before - you cannot even get our true BBC home page in the US and I'm not too sure you get all of our Al Jazz etc coverage either.

Its the mushroom syndrome - keep you in the dark and pour shit on you occasionally.

:hi: to you too.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Hey, that's why we have DU!

There are so many folks here, from all over, that are so plugged in that we don't miss much. And the internets certainly make a difference. I agree with your definition of keeping us in the dark, LOL. At this hour, there's not much news here. CNN has a repeat of the guy who replaced Larry King and MSNBC has that awful inside prison stuff that they show on weekends. x(

Sorry I missed your pic! It certainly would be appropriate to rename the square. I've never seen Cuba's, though it's closer, but I have seen Revolution Square in Moscow, and they sure had a transformative revolution there... :)

[dipsydoodle]

12. I added the pic afterwards.

I usually avoid the word awesome but that square is. His remains are interred there at the Mausoleum created for the benefit of the Cuban people having been returned to Cuba from Bolivia many years after his death along with the remains of his comrades who died in the ravine.

btw Al Jazz doesn't broadcast stuff like recent/current events in Egypt all the time - its just that they are focused on that at present. Some reporting by others is now is focusing on issues like the need to get the tourists back into Tunisia and the same will apply to Egypt as both countries are heavily reliant on tourism for income.

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I know... Missed it until after I replied.

It sounds truly awesome, though I don't plan a visit anytime soon... Nor do I plan to return to Moscow at this point. Strangely, it was much safer there when it was still the USSR. And they have their own mausoleum, Lenin's Tomb, bordering Red Square. I have visited that, as well, mainly for the experience, exceedingly macabre and creepy, but a hugely popular attraction, back in the day. x(

I've never visited Egypt, either, though my parents did quite a few years ago. My friend was so impressed with their pix that he eventually went there, just based on what he saw, said it was relatively inexpensive because it was so dangerous there, at that time. With regime change, it would be nice if this became a thing of the past... :)

[PatrynXX]

29. as it is with all news

Like reporting on Iran. I'm still green. It's gone underground.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

30. It is already aptly named "Freedom" Square. nt

[jannyk]

7. BBC Has a very different take on the situation. "Stand Off in Tahrir Sq"

I'm watching a live report on BBC World TV and there are a reinforcements joining the holdouts in Tahrir. I've just watched video of a few nasty skirmishes as they try to force them from the square. Unfortunately hundreds of Police, truly hated and despised by the people, were also sent in to force protesters out - this was not a clever move by the new Administration.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12442270

<<There is a tense stand-off in Cairo's Tahrir Square as protesters who have camped there for 20 days thwart army efforts to clear the area. Thousands more people have made their way to the square, the focal point of the uprising that led to President Hosni Mubarak's departure on Friday.

Tempers frayed on Sunday morning as protesters realised hundreds of policeman - who had become hugely unpopular for their violent attempts to suppress the uprising - had entered the square. The police chanted: "It's a new Egypt, the people and the police are one," echoing a popular chant by the anti-Mubarak groups in support of the army during the height of the demonstrations. The crowd chanted back: "Get out, get out!">>

and from the BBC's Middle East Correspondent:


<< Tahrir square hasn't been this tense for days. Many of the demonstrators woke to find the army had swarmed into the square and had begun to dismantle protesterss' tents.
The tanks that had been blocking access to the square were pulled back and traffic began flowing on to the roads where protestors were standing. There was growing anger in the square as more and more soldiers began slowly but forcefully to squeeze the protesters out of the areas they had been holding for weeks.

Then a roar went up from the crowd as they realised hundreds of policeman had entered the square. These were the same men that just weeks ago had been beating and tear-gassing them and the crowd were furious.>>

For a few minutes there was a tense stand-off as the two sides confronted each other before the police march peeled away and left the square.

[dipsydoodle]

10. What you're watching

may appear to be live but may not be so. Is it this ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12442270

Its a fluid situation. I think the reporter may have picked up on one incident. If you can then pick up on Al Jazz's live coverage when they broadcast that.

[jannyk]

13. I'm watching BBC World LIVE TV newsfeeds from Tahrir Square

on BBCWorld TV the 24/7 News Channel. The feeds were live, as are the following Tweets coming in now.

BBCNews
Attempts by army to clear Cairo's Tahrir Square have triggered arrival of thousands of new protesters about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck
* Reply
* Retweet
* 15 Retweets


chrismcgreal
protesters flooding back in to Tahrir square in response to call after soldiers ripped up demonstrators tents and told them to go home. less than a minute ago via web

Guardian World guardian_world
Sign of things to come? #Egypt army attempts to clear #Tahrir, but protestors stream back. Live updates http://t.co/fZ4cFGh #jan25

[dipsydoodle]

15. You in Europe or the US ?

:hi:

[jannyk]

17. British Columbia at the moment, but I'm from West Ham originally.

We get this channel here:

http://www.bbcworldnews.com/pages/schedules.aspx

The 'on the hour' thirty minute newscast is always 'live'

:hi:

[dipsydoodle]

18. Because I get the true home channel

I can't see what the World Service is broadcasting. Here they are switching between live and earlier which conveys whatever they want to convey with selective footage. I did notice their reporter putting words into the mouths of those he was interviewing.

You might find this to be a better twitter link ; http://www.google.com/search?q=%23Jan25+site:twitter.com&tbs=mbl:1&tbo=1&num=100&hl=en&sa=G&biw=1280&bih=705&ei=_MdATZzzH8KVcYGg_Y0C&ved=0CF0QsQcwBQ

West Ham ! Up The Hammers....lol. Were you ICF ? :)

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Wow! Thanks!

They alluded to this in the article I posted, enough so it concerned me, but the emphasis seemed to be that things remained peaceful. I can see how this would be a concern, since the adrenalin is flowing and folks are psyched, difficult to return to mundane real life while they still have momentum and an agenda... :shrug:

This is the reason that DU is so terrific! We have folks here from all over, and DUers are so informed that we don't miss much! Thanks for the accurate picture! :hi:

[jannyk]

14. AlJaz also 'tweeting' crowds swelling in Tahrir

AJELive

Crowds swelling in #Tahrir Square http://aje.me/ajelive #egypt #jan25 #cairo

[jannyk]

20. As well as ABC (tweet)

LaraABCNews
protesters are streaming into Tahrir Square, cars are in standstill traffic around them #Egypt 6 minutes ago via web

Reuters and AP say same.

Jerusalem Post reporting arrests of organizers.- no other news outlet has that yet.

[Rhiannon12866]

21. Thanks for keeping us updated! Wow!

Important news!:hi:

[jannyk]

19. Sandmonkey Tweets "should we be worried?"

Sandmonkey
The Army is taking pictures and recording videos of the protesters in Tahrir. Should we be worried? #jan25

[fasttense]

22. Kick to see what will happen. n/t

[ellenrr]

23. Gunshots heard near Egypt Ministry

Several gunshots were heard on Sunday as thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators refuse to leave the streets in the capital city Cairo, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Earlier reports said the Egyptian army beat protesters that refused to leave Cairo's Liberation Square, trying to disperse the stream of the masses.

Thousands of protesters chanting "revolution revolution until victory," streamed back to Liberation Square in the early hours of Sunday. They vowed to remain on the major square until their demands were met.

Pro-democracy protesters warned of holding further rallies if the military fails to fulfill its promise of a peaceful transition of power to a democratic civilian system.

Pro-democracy activists have demanded the release of political prisoners, the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of military courts. They say demonstrations will continue until the army accepts the reforms.

Meanwhile, the military caretaker government is scheduled to meet for the first time after Mubarak's ouster.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/165016.html

[Rhiannon12866]

24. Yikes!

That was my fear when I first read the OP article. It sounded like this was possible... Hoping for a peaceful outcome and thanks so much for posting this important news! :scared: :hi:

And welcome to DU, ellenrr! It's great to have you with us! :toast:

[ellenrr]

31. thanks for the welcome

I'm still strying to find my way around...
just discovered I could find any replies to my posts by going to "My DU", lol, useful..

[Rhiannon12866]

32. You're more than welcome...

And it does take awhile, but I have to say that DU is probably the most user-friendly site on the web, and they're adding new bells and whistles all the time. I've been here since 2003, so have seen a lot of changes, all to make DU easier to navigate. It's become home to me. And we're also the friendliest site in these parts, so if you have any questions/problems, just ask... DUers are always willing to help you out. We're always glad to welcome another kindred spirit... :D :hi:

[jannyk]

25. Sandmonkey tweets: "people are moving back to Tahrir Sq...

Sandmonkey

The egyptian people are moving back to Tahrir..the crowds are increasing..the flags are back. #jan25

[Catherina]

26. This thing isn't over by a long shot. The initial core of protesters isn't done yet

And they're not too impressed with how the Army is fighting corruption.


A prisoner in the Four Seasons in Cairo
One of the most corrupt billionaires in Egypt, Ahmad `Izz (former secretary of the ruling party) is held under house arrest you read. In fact, he is staying at the Four Seasons Hotel. This is how the ruling junta will fight corruption.
Posted by As'ad AbuKhalil at 5:52 PM

Protests are still going on as are strikes.

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
People, the protesters haven;t been released, a time table for democratic process hasn;t been set. that's why there r still protests. #jan25
18 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply



justimage matthew cassel
The police also chanted against Min of Interior, and asked where are the journalists and Al-Jazeera to cover their march!! #jan25
2 minutes ago


Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
The egyptian people are moving back to Tahrir..the crowds are increasing..the flags are back. #jan25
25 minutes ago



evanchill Evan Hill
US officials say the $70 billion figure for Mubarak's wealth is vastly inflated, more like $2-3 billion. http://ow.ly/3Vt0I
1 minute ago


Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
@
@farahfayoumi the detainees are not released, no time table been set..our democracy could be aborted. K? #jan25
2 minutes ago


Ahmed Shafiq, major regime man, is holding a news conference now.


MohammedY Mohammed Yahia
Shafik: Lots of unimportant blabber so far. Focus on education, runinng state blah blah
54 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply


Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Ahemd Shafiq's press conference was pure hilarity, and after he spoke of the information minister, the transmission got cut #jan25
45 seconds ago

occupiedcairo Occupied Cairo
Shafik is either stupid or thinks the Egyptian population has the political understanding of a squirrel #jan25
6 minutes ago


MohammedY Mohammed Yahia
Shafik's words don't sound like his government will be dispelled any time soon. Not good at all :( #Jan25
7 minutes ago



Ghonim Wael Ghonim
Biggest mistake now is to give the Egyptian people too little too slow. Restoring confidence requires a faster pace. #Jan25
3 minutes ago


Angry Arab posted this on January 29. How prescient of him


US is pushing for the rule of generals in Egypt
The appointment of Ahmad Shafiq, as the new prime minister, is yet another indication that the US is trying to arrange for its puppet generals in the Egyptian army to rule the country on behalf of Israel. I doubt that this plot would work and it will likely backfire.
Posted by As'ad AbuKhalil at 8:47 AM

[blaze]

27. Brief report from Richard Engel

Just now on msnbc... didn't suggest anger in the crowds... talked about the police helping the citizens clean up the streets. It appeard to be a live broadcast. :shrug:

[Rhiannon12866]

28. Thanks! I'll tune in, too...

And if this is what he's reporting on, it's got to be live now... He's the best they've got there, too. :hi: