'Army must choose Egypt or Mubarak'

An Egyptian Army soldier is handing a flower by an anti-government protesters in Tahrir Square in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162846.html

Anti-government Egyptian protesters have returned to the streets of the crisis-hit country, calling on the army to choose between Egypt and beleaguered President Hosni Mubarak.

Pouring into Cairo's Tahrir Square to start the seventh day of protests, the demonstrators on Monday renewed their call for the president's resignation after 30 years in power.

"The army has to choose between Egypt and Mubarak," read one banner in Tahrir Square.

Thousands of angry protesters vowed to camp out in central Cairo until they had toppled the regime.

Mubarak's fate now appeared to hang on the military as pressure mounted both from the country's streets and abroad for him to end his rule over the ancient country.

Anti-government protesters turned out on Sunday, despite the army's warning that it would shoot to kill anyone breaking the curfew imposed on major cities. The curfew has now been extended and is to be in place from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. local time.

Embattled Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981, has reportedly visited a military operations center to meet with top army commanders and troops at their headquarters.

As the president is trying to calm the situation in the politically-uncertain country, protesters on Monday called for a general strike to press their demands for democracy.

The demonstrators are also planning a huge anti-government rally for Tuesday, which has been dubbed the 'protest of the millions.'

The France 24 television channel quoted a senior US official as saying that US President Barack Obama's national security aides believe "Mubarak's time had passed."

Mubarak, a former top officer in the Egyptian air force and an ally of the United States, has been the recipient of billions of dollars in US military aid.

Egypt's defense minister also discussed the situation with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates via telephone on Sunday.

Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised the "professionalism" of Egypt's armed forces in countering protesters.

More than 150 people have so far been killed and thousands more injured since the massive protests broke out on January 25 following the Tunisian revolution that led to the ouster of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The Tunisian uprising sent shockwaves across Arab and North African nations, including Egypt, Yemen and Jordan.