In Egypt, Army has fortified its positions in Cairo and blocked all feeder roads leading to Tahrir square, which is epicenter of the anti government protests. Thousands of protesters demonstrated defying curfew at Tahrir Square overnight protesting against the Hosni Mubarak government. Egyptian reform campaigner and Nobel Prize winner Mohamed El Baradei joined the protestors and once again asked President Hosni Mubarak to step down. He appealed protesters for patience saying change is coming in the next few days. Demonstrations were also organised in Alexandria. Offices, Schools, Business Establishments and Stock exchange remain closed across the country. President Hosni Mubarak responded by appointing country’s military intelligence chief General Omar Suleiman as his first-ever vice president and current aviation minister Ahmed Shafiq the new prime minister. He ordered Prime minister to start political and economic reforms and Parliament speaker has promised to open a probe in to controversial parliamentary elections held last year. Reports say that widespread anti government demonstrations and violent clashes in Egypt have left at least 100 people dead since Tuesday. About 2,000 people have been injured. Armed men attacked at least four jails across Egypt on Sunday, helping to free thousands of inmates as police vanished from the streets of Cairo and other cities. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for an orderly transition of power in Egypt. Reacting to development Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is anxiously monitoring and its efforts are designed to continue and maintain stability and security in our region. Meanwhile Indian Embassy in Cairo has made elaborate arrangements to airlift Indian nationals in Egypt in the wake of violent agitation against the Hosni Mubarak regime. Talking to AIR Dubai Correspondent, Ambassador of India to Egypt Mr. R. Swaminathan said that all Indians in Egypt are safe and elaborate arranges have made to air lift them. The Regional Manager of Air India, Abhay Pathak told AIR that a plane carrying 320 Passengers left Cairo this morning, which will land in Mumbai after 3 PM on Monday. He informed that another flight will leave Cairo this evening. Indian Embassy has set up 24 hours hotline to assist Indians for help. The numbers are 0020227360556, 0020227356168 and 0020227360052. The MEA has already issued a travel advisory asking Indians to avoid non-essential travel to Egypt.
News On AIR | January 31, 2011 1:58 PM
Anti govt protests continue unabated in Egypt; India airlifts 300 nationals