Army dissolves Egyptian House
New York, Feb. 13: Egypt’s military leaders dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution on Sunday, meeting two key demands of protesters.
The military rulers who took over when Mr Hosni Mubarak stepped down on Friday as President also set as a top priority the restoration of security, which collapsed during the 18 days of protests that toppled the regime.
The protesters had been pressing the ruling military council to immediately move forward with the transition process by appointing a presidential council, dissolving the parliament and releasing detainees.
In the meantime, thousands of protesters streamed back into Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Sunday after the Army tried to disperse them and gunfire was heard near the interior ministry where the police were demonstrating over wages. “The Army and people are united” and “Revolution, revolution until victory,” the protesters chanted, after military police told them to take down tents and let normal life return.
Egypt’s new military rulers said they would keep control of the country for six months or until parliamentary and presidential elections are held following constitutional amendments.
In a statement read on state television, the higher military council said it was dissolving parliament and suspending the Constitution while a committee drafted an amended Constitution.
Police officers, emboldened by the protests that led to the downfall of Mr Mubarak, gathered to demand higher pay and a security guard said warning shots had been fired in the air. The police force was pulled off the streets when it lost control of anti-government protests in January. Some have held their own protests and sit-ins since Mr Mubarak’s overthrow on Friday, seeking higher wages and immunity from prosecution.
Egypt’s military rulers earlier ordered protesters to leave Tahrir Square, a symbol of the revolt that toppled Mr Mubarak, to let traffic flow and allow commuters to get back to work in an economy that has been damaged by the tumult.
“The Army is the backbone of Egypt. Their solution is not to remove us from the square,” said a protester over loudspeakers, as the Army moved in, pushing and occasionally lashing out with sticks. “They must respond to our demands.” After minor scuffles, the protesters regained some space and more arrived.
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