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Egyptians
welcome liberation at Tahrir Square
Saturday February 12, 2011 08:48:17 AM,
IANS
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Cairo: Tahrir Square,
a large public square in downtown Cairo, Friday lived up to its
name as Hosni Mubarak quit as president in the face of massive
protests. `Tahrir' means liberation in Arabic.
The expansive square, measuring 490,000 sq feet, turned into the
epicentre of the uprising in Egypt against the 30-year rule of
Mubarak, who stepped down Friday night on the 18th day of
protests.
Tens of thousands of protesters congregated at the square over the
18-day period to vent their fury against a leader who ruled with
an iron hand. As the protests continued, the square turned into a
tent city with demonstrators staying overnight in the square that
had become a symbol for their uprising.
The gathering of protesters at the capital city's square began Jan
25 amid calls from several pro-democracy leaders to join in their
demand for removal of the 82-year-old leader.
The Egyptian protest was said to have been triggered after a
month-long protest in Tunisia led to the ouster of the north
African country's president Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali.
On Feb 8, thousands of democracy supporters streamed to the Tahrir
Square to take part in the "March of Million" in a show of
solidarity.
The protesters defied the government's call for the end of unrest
after Mubarak in his televised address Feb 1 promised to step
down, but not before the end of his term in September.
Mubarak's effort to appease the protesters by delegating some
power to Vice President Omar Suleiman went in vain as
demonstrators intensified their demand for his immediate removal
and called for another "million march" Friday.
The protesters were initially stunned and then grew increasingly
belligerent when Mubarak, in a televised address, announced
Thursday night that he was not stepping down.
Nearly 300 people were killed during the 18-day protest in Cairo
and other Egyptian cities.
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Hosni
Mubarak resigns as president
Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak resigned Friday, handing over power to the military, Vice
President Omar Suleiman announced.
»
Mubarak
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Tahrir
Square in festive
mood as speculation swirls of Mubarak leaving
Egypt is
free, jubilant protesters chant as Mubarak quits
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Picture of the Day |
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Anti-government protesters in Cairo's
Tahrir Square wave shoes in dismay as President Hosni Mubarak
speaks to the nation February 10, 2011. Protesters also chanted,
"down, down with Hosni Mubarak," and "leave, leave," in rage at
the speech in which the president did not step down but handed
over powers to his vice president.
(Photo:
Reuters/Dylan Martinez) |
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