It’s Egypt’s Turn
The BBC is reporting on the Egypt protests: Three killed in ‘day of revolt’
At least three people are reported to have been killed during a day of rare anti-government protests in Egypt.
In Cairo, where the biggest rallies were held, state TV said a policeman had died in clashes. Two protesters died in Suez, doctors there said.
Thousands joined the protests after an internet campaign inspired by the uprising in Tunisia.
In central Cairo, police starting using tear gas early on Wednesday in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
…The microblogging website, Twitter, has confirmed that its website has been blocked in Egypt.
Twitter said it believed the open exchange of information and views was a benefit to societies and helped government better connect with their people.
The Swedish-based website Bambuser, which streams video from mobile phones, said it had been blocked in Egypt. On its blog, it accused Egyptian officials of trying to control the news agenda.
Hosni Mubarak has been in control since Anwar Sadat was assassinated three decades ago. He has kept a tight grip on power in the country and is dependent on the US support he receives to maintain that grip [Egypt is the second largest recipient of US foreign aid]. He has been grooming his son, Gamal, to assume power when he dies or decides to retire. His government is every bit as corrupt as the former government of Tunisia.
It is unlikely that the Egyptian government will collapse as easily as Tunisia’s.
