Egypt declares 70 army generals retired: Report

 

Egyptian Defense Minister Major General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, August 22, 2012

Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/04/259756/egypt-declares-70-army-generals-retired/

A report says the Egyptian government has announced the retirement of 70 army generals, weeks after President Mohamed Morsi replaced Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi as defense minister with Major General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The new defense minister made the announcement, adding that six members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) have also been dismissed, according to a report by the Egyptian daily al-Shorouk.

The six SCAF members will however remain in the armed forces, the paper said.

On August 12, Morsi dismissed Tantawi from his post, canceling a constitutional declaration issued by the military that restricted presidential powers.

Tantawi was Egypt’s defense minister for nearly two decades under former dictator Hosni Mubarak. He headed Egypt’s SCAF, which took power in February 2011 after Egyptians launched a revolution against Mubarak’s regime in January, which eventually brought an end to the dictatorship.

Morsi also ordered the retirement of the military chief of staff, Sami Anan, replacing him with Sedqi Sobhi Sayyid Ahmed.

On August 22, Egyptian lawyer Assem Kandil filed the first legal complaint against several officials in the African state including Tantawi.

“I did so because I accuse them all of killing protesters during the series of bloody protests in Egypt following last year’s uprising along with wasting public money in the state’s spending on the parliamentary election,” the lawyer said.

 

Fresh violence erupts in Egypt's capital

Egyptian protesters gather after clashes with Egyptian riot police at Liberation Square in Cairo November 19, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/211108.html

Fresh violence has erupted in Egypt's capital Cairo a day after deadly clashes between police and protesters left at least three people dead and hundreds wounded, Press TV reports.

Egyptian riot police on Sunday clashed for a second day with protesters demanding a speedy transition of power from the ruling military council to a civilian government.

The police used tear gas against thousands of protesters in and around central Cairo's Liberation Square.

At least one protester was injured in the violence.

Similar clashes on Saturday left three people dead and hundreds more injured in Cairo and Alexandria.

The latest clashes come just over a week before parliamentary elections.

Earlier this month, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Silmi showed a draft copy of a revised constitution to political groups in the North African country. The draft would give the Army exclusive authority over its internal affairs and budget and would also shield the forces from legal scrutiny.

The opposition and democracy campaigners protested at the proposal.

Activists and political groups are increasingly critical of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF)'s failure to live up to its promise of handing over power to a civilian ruling structure within six months of the February revolution.

Protesters have also criticized the head of the council, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, for his reluctance to implement sweeping changes and dismantle elements of the former regime.

The military rulers have promised to hold presidential elections by late next year.

'Israeli PM meets with Tantawi in secret'

Egypt's head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Mohamed Hussein Tantawi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/197528.html

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secretly met with Egypt's head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a report says.

Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the two sides met in secret because of the angry public opinions of Egyptian people toward Israel.

Thousands of Egyptians protested against Tel Aviv outside the Israeli Embassy in Cairo over the killing of five Egyptian policemen in an Israel attack near the border last month.

Cairo had decided to recall its envoy from Tel Aviv to protest the incident. During the secret session, Tantawi intervened and withdrew the decision to recall the Egyptian ambassador from Israel, according to the report. The paper said Tantawi ended the crisis in the last moments.

The two sides also discussed border security and anti-terrorism operations, the report added.

Egypt's revolution in February has put in danger the relations between Cairo and Tel Aviv

Egypt to open Rafah border crossing

Palestinian doctors demonstrate in front of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on April 27, 2011demanding the end of the siege by Israel on the Gaza Strip and the opening of the Rafah crossing. (File photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/177238.html

Egypt is preparing to permanently open the Rafah border crossing in a move that would allow people and goods to enter and exit the Gaza Strip.

Reports say Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi said in an interview with Al-Jazeera on Thursday that the crossing will be opened within ten days.

Al-Arabi stated that the move is aimed at easing the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and at alleviating the “blockade and suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Over 1.5 million people in the coastal strip have been living under an Israeli siege since June 2007.

The plan indicates a change in policy following Egypt's recent uprising which ousted the longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Meanwhile, a deal has been reached for a unity government between the Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah after negotiations were held in the Cairo. Fatah has presided over the Israeli-occupied West Bank since 2007.

Hamas and Fatah have been at odds since the former won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in January 2006.

Egyptians want to end deal with Israel

Egyptians burn the Israeli flag and wave the Palestinian one during a demonstration in front of the Israeli embassy in Cairo on April 25, 2011, calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and opening of the border with Gaza.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/176723.html

An opinion poll has shown that an overwhelming majority of Egyptians prefer that the country terminate a standing peace agreement with Israel.

The results of the poll, which was conducted by the United States-based Pew Research Center, came out on Monday, pointing to a 54% lean towards the scrapping of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty, the Associated Press reported. The poll surveyed 1,000 Egyptians countrywide between March 24 and April 7.

The 1979 deal saw Israeli troops withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula -- the part of the Egyptian territory, which Israel had occupied in 1967.

It, however, enabled the stationing of Egyptian security forces there, who would closely cooperate with Tel Aviv's crippling siege of the Gaza Strip. Using the forces, Cairo would keep the country's Rafah border crossing with Gaza -- the sliver's only terminal that bypasses Israel -- closed.

The Egyptians launched a revolution against the previous pro-Israeli regime in January, putting an end to the 30-year-long rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

During the protests, Tel Aviv allowed Cairo to deploy Egyptian troops to the peninsula, despite it only being open to Egypt's police forces in line with the bilateral accord.

After the revolution, the Egyptian protesters rallied outside the Israeli embassy in the capital, setting fire to the Israeli flag and urging the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador Yitzhak Levanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the new Egyptian government could become hostile towards Tel Aviv. He has said he is “especially concerned” over remarks made by Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi, who, along with other senior officials, has reportedly called Tel Aviv, Egypt's "enemy."

Egypt's Finance Minister Samir Radwan has also stressed that Cairo does not need investments from "the enemy," commenting on the possibility of economic ties with Tel Aviv.

The recent survey also showed that only 15% of the respondents favored closer relations with the US -- Israel's oldest and strongest ally -- as opposed to 43%, who thought the two countries could use some distance.

The bilateral peace accord forms a central part of Washington's regional policy.

Mubarak responsible for killings: Judge

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/175740.html

An Egyptian fact-finding commission has held ousted President Hosni Mubarak responsible for the killings of protesters during the eighteen days of demonstrations that led to his downfall.

"What is confirmed is that Mubarak's permission (to use live fire on protesters) must be obtained. The shooting lasted for several days, and he did not hold accountable those who fired live rounds. That confirms his involvement in responsibility,” AFP quoted Judge Omar Marwan, the head of the commission, as saying on Tuesday.

The commission also said that snipers were deployed to shoot protesters and that police vehicles intentionally ran over protesters, but Mubarak did not order an end to these atrocities.

The fact-finding commission's report stated that 846 people were killed and more than 6,400 others were injured in Egypt's historic revolution.

The report also noted that former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly issued shoot-to-kill orders to quell peaceful demonstrations.

Hosni Mubarak is facing charges of using violence against protesters and corruption and his family is also facing charges of corruption.

Egyptian activists say Mubarak must be tried for killing hundreds of protesters during the country's popular uprising, which led to his ouster on February 11.

Egypt: Former vice pres. interrogated

Egypt's former Vice President Omar Suleiman

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/175655.html

Egypt's general prosecutor's office says former Vice President Omar Suleiman is being questioned in connection with corruption and use of violence against peaceful protesters.

This comes two months after former dictator Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a historic revolution.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement on Tuesday that he was asked about "the killing of protesters during peaceful (anti-regime) protests and over the wealth of the former president and his family."

Suleiman was the country's longtime spy chief and is a close US and Israel ally.

He had mediated Arab-Israeli talks and even aided the CIA when it needed a hand in interrogating so-called terror suspects, reports say.

Suleiman was appointed vice president by ousted Mubarak in the final days of his three-decade rule.

Judicial sources say the assets of several former officials and ministers have also been frozen over corruption and abuse of power.

The Mubarak family is facing allegations of corruption as well as the use of violence against protesters.

Egyptian protesters say he must be tried for killing around 800 protesters during the country's popular uprising which led to his ouster on February 11.

On Saturday, an Egyptian court dissolved the former ruling National Democratic Party of ousted president Mubarak and froze its assets.

Mubarak, sons to stand in dock

Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174721.html

Egypt's deposed President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons are set to appear in court on April 19 as a part of an investigation into their 'crimes' against the North African state.

Mubarak and his sons, Alaa and Gamal, who face charges of killing anti-regime protesters, embezzling public funds and abusing power, will be required to answer questions about the use of force against protesters during the Egyptian revolution in January and February, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported Thursday.

They are summoned “for questioning on charges against them on the attack against peaceful protesters,” which caused fatalities and injuries, said Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmud in the latest statement about the former Egyptian president.

The public prosecutor summoned Mubarak for a 15-day detention earlier on Wednesday to investigate the accusations.

It is not yet clear where Mubarak will be placed during his detention, but his sons have been taken to a prison in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The former US-backed ruler was earlier rushed to a hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh after suffering a 'heart attack' while under questioning.

Mubarak was forced to step down in February following weeks of nationwide protests against his 30-year rule.

An AFP count puts the number of the protesters killed during the Egyptian revolution to more than 380 people.

The latest development comes after the transfer of power to Egypt's military council on February 11.

The council is now faced with further protests demanding the resignation of its chief Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and the formation of a civilian government in the North African country.

Egyptians say they are skeptical about a rapid transition to democracy and a civilian rule, maintaining that demonstrations will persist until all their demands are met.

Egypt to revise gas deals with Israel

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174664.html

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharraf has asked for the revision of all contracts related to natural gas exports abroad, particularly to Israel.

Sharraf said on Wednesday that Cairo's planned revision could bring Egypt an extra three to four billion dollars in revenues.

Israel is expected to be hit hard by the measure since Egypt supplies an estimated 40 percent of its gas.

The deal with Tel Aviv was a highly controversial issue during the rule of ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

Four Israeli firms have signed agreements to import gas under a 20-year contract.

The agreement has been repeatedly challenged in Egyptian courts as it was without parliament's consultation.

Sharraf will also meet with the Jordanian energy minister to discuss the gas deal with his country.

Opposition groups have long complained that Mubarak was selling natural gas to Israel at preferential prices.

The developments come as Egypt's public prosecutor has summoned the former president and his son for questioning over corruption and the use of violence against peaceful protesters.

Earlier reports said Mubarak and his former petroleum minister were also being investigated for selling artificially cheap gas to the Israeli regime.

The chief prosecutor had received evidence that Mubarak and Sameh Fahmy had sold natural gas to Israel and several Western countries for under market prices.

Fahmy has recently told investigators that he was just carrying out orders from Mubarak.

However, Mubarak has rejected the corruption accusations as libel.

Egyptian soldiers clash with protesters

Egyptian soldiers detain a man (wearing green T-shirt) in Liberation Square, Cairo on April 12

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174521.html

Egyptian troops have once again clashed with protesters demanding an end to military rule in the country.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in central Cairo on Tuesday to press for their demands, chanting slogans against the military council that took over after the fall of Hosni Mubarak's regime.

The army has detained several protesters but hundreds of Egyptians have remained in Cairo's Liberation Square, calling for the resignation of the head of the ruling military council, Mohammad Hossein Tantawi.

Demonstrators challenged the Egyptian military on Monday by defying a curfew.

The latest demonstration in Liberation Square comes in the wake of the death of a protester at the hands of army and police, who tried to clear the area on Monday night.

Meanwhile, a military court in Egypt has sentenced a blogger to three years in jail on charges of insulting the military, spreading false information, and disturbing public security.

Protesters have also demanded the release of all political prisoners as well as a full investigation into the charges of corruption filed against Mubarak, his family members, and his cronies.

Mubarak had a heart attack on Tuesday while he was being questioned over corruption charges and was later hospitalized in an intensive care unit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Egyptian prosecutors have also started questioning Mubarak's sons Alaa and Gamal over allegations of corruption and embezzlement.

Mubarak sons held in corruption probe

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174536.html

The two sons of Egypt's deposed 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak have reportedly been arrested and put in jail as a corruption investigation against them proceeds.

State prosecutors have summoned Alaa and Gamal Mubarak over accusations of embezzlement of public funds. This is while their father has said details of their bank accounts will dispel accusations of profiteering and illegal gains leveled against them, Reuters cited a report aired by Egyptian state television on Wednesday.

The move, the most dramatic in a series of investigations against top Former Egyptian regime officials, comes just hours after Mubarak was hospitalized with heart problems.

On Sunday, Egypt's public prosecutor Abdel Magid Mahmud summoned Mubarak and his sons for questioning over corruption and the use of violence against peaceful protesters, who eventually succeeded in bringing an end to the president's 30 years of authoritarian rule.

Mubarak's younger son Gamal was the head of the higher political committee of the country's former ruling party and was believed to be the heir to his father's decades-long, iron-fisted rule.

Earlier, Mubarak was questioned by Egypt's Justice Minister Mohamed el-Guindy but reportedly suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in an intensive care unit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

In an interview with the Saudi television, al-Arabiya, Mubarak had earlier said he was prepared to aid any probe into his family's assets outside Egypt, but threatened to sue his accusers.

Outrage at corruption among government officials was one of the incentives for the Egyptians to revolt against Mubarak's regime.

Mubarak has heart attack

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174513.html

Former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak has had a heart attack during questioning by anti-corruption authorities about charges of graft and abuse of power, according to Egyptian state television.

Mubarak was later hospitalized in an intensive care unit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, AP reported on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Egyptian public prosecutor Abdel Magid Mahmud summoned Mubarak and his sons for questioning over corruption and the use of violence against peaceful protesters, who eventually succeeded in bringing an end to his 30 years of authoritarian rule.

Earlier reports said Mubarak and his former petroleum minister were also being investigated for selling natural gas to Israel at an artificially low price.

Egyptians call for end to military rule

This file photo shows Egyptian protesters demanding a civil rule in the country in Cairo's Liberation Square

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174317.html

Egyptian protesters have called for an end to the military rule in the country by continuing their protests in Cairo's Liberation Square.

Demonstrators challenged the Egyptian military Monday by defying a curfew by taking once more to Liberation square in downtown Cairo. The new protest in the square comes in the wake of the death of a protester at the hands of army and police who tried to clear the area overnight.

The protesters also want the head of the military council Field Marshal Mohammad Hossein Tantawi to step down and former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to be tried. They accuse Mubarak of corruption and crimes against anti-regime protesters.

Mubarak on Sunday denied the allegations of corruption in an interview with the Saudi-funded al-Arabiya television station. He called the accusations a libel campaign.

On Friday thousands of protesters staged a mock trial for deposed Mubarak and criticized the role played by the military ever since the downing of Mubarak.

The protests come weeks after Mubarak handed over power to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces headed by Field Marshal Tantawi.

The emergency law, in place since former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated and Mubarak assumed power, allows authorities unfettered power to arrest people without charge and ban protests.

Mubarak summoned for questioning

Hosni Mubarak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174118.html

Egypt's public prosecutor has summoned former President Hosni Mubarak and his son for questioning over corruption and use of violence against peaceful protesters.

"The public prosecutor Abdel Magid Mahmud decided today to ask for the questioning of former president Hosni Mubarak and his sons Gamal and Alaa," MENA reported.

The order came immediately after Mubarak published his first message to the Egyptian people after his ouster from power in February.

In an audio message on Sunday, Mubarak rejected the corruption accusations made against him.

Former Premier Ahmed Nazif has also been detained for questioning over corruption charges.

This comes as tens of thousands of protesters demanded the prosecution of officials belonging to the former regime -- mainly the ousted president Mubarak and his family.

Meanwhile, Egyptians are continuing their protests against the ruling military council in Cairo's Liberation Square. They want the ruling military council's head -- Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi -- to step down.

At least six protesters were killed and dozens more were injured after troops used taser guns and batons to disperse several thousands of protesters in Cairo's Liberation Square on Saturday.

Earlier reports said Mubarak and his former petroleum minister were also being investigated for selling artificially cheap gas to Israel.

The chief prosecutor had received evidence that Mubarak and Sameh Fahmy had sold natural gas to Israel and several Western countries for artificially low prices.

Fahmy has recently told investigators that he was just carrying out orders from Mubarak.

Egypt supplies about 40 percent of Israel's natural gas demand based on a deal reached between Cairo and Tel Aviv after the 1979 peace accord.

However, Mubarak has rejected the corruption accusations as libel.

In an interview with the Saudi television station Al-Arabiya for the first time since his ouster in February, Mubarak said he is prepared to aid any probe into his family's assets outside Egypt. He also threatened to sue his accusers.

Egypt's army to use force on protesters

Egyptian protesters shout slogans against toppled dictator Hosni Mubarak during a protest in Cairo's Liberation Square on April 8, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173991.html

The Egyptian army has threatened to use force to end protests in Cairo's Liberation Square following a crack down on demonstrators camped out in the square early Saturday morning.

Egypt's ruling junta warned on Saturday that troops would clear protesters from central Cairo's Liberation Square with "firmness and force" if they continued to demonstrate there.

"Tahrir Square will be emptied of protesters with firmness and force to ensure life goes back to normal," a senior military officer said.

The death toll from the security crackdown on Egyptian protesters in the square has climbed to six after some of the critically wounded died in hospitals.

Troops and police used taser guns and batons to disperse several thousands of protesters that camped out in the square overnight, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.

Witnesses say sounds of gunshots rang out across the square in central Cairo.

Egyptian protesters defied the use of force by soldiers that tried to disperse them. The protesters have vowed to continue demonstrating.

Earlier reports said two people were killed and 18 others wounded. However, medical sources now say the death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.

On Friday, tens of thousands of Egyptians gathered to demand the prosecution of ousted president Hosni Mubarak and other leading figures serving in his regime.

Protesters also marched to the Israeli embassy in Cairo with plans to fly the Palestinian flag over the compound. This led to clashes erupting outside the Israeli embassy.

Egyptian protesters have reportedly retaken Cairo's Liberation Square hours after security forces attempted to disperse them.

Thousands more joined the protesters in the historic square on Saturday. They demanded that the country's military rulers hand over power to a civilian government.

The development comes two months after Egypt's historic revolution ousted former US-backed president Mubarak.

Military kills six Egyptian protesters

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173916.html

The death toll from a security crackdown on Egyptian protesters in Cairo's Liberation Square has risen to six after some seriously injured people died in hospitals.

Troops and police used taser guns and batons to disperse several thousands of protesters who had camped out in the square overnight, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.

Witnesses say sounds of gunshots rang out across the square in central Cairo.

Egyptian protesters defied pressure from soldiers who tried to disperse them. The protesters have vowed to continue demonstrating.

Earlier reports said two people were killed and 18 others wounded. However, medical sources now say the death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.

On Friday, tens of thousands of Egyptians gathered to demand the prosecution of ousted president Hosni Mubarak and other leading figures of his regime.

Protesters also marched to the Israel's embassy in Cairo with plans to fly the Palestinian flag over the compound. This led to clashes erupting outside the Israeli embassy.

Egyptian protesters have reportedly retaken Cairo's Liberation Square, hours after security forces attempted to disperse them.

Thousands more joined the protesters in the historic square on Saturday. They demanded that the country's military rulers hand over power to a civilian government.

The development comes two months after a historic revolution ousted former president Mubarak.

Egyptians retake Cairo's iconic square

Egyptian protesters call for ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to be put on trial during a protest on Saturday

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173848.html

Thousands of Egyptian protesters have poured into Cairo's Liberation Square shortly after security forces used tear gas and baton charges to muscle them out of the iconic site.

Security forces fired shots into the air on Saturday in an attempt to disperse several hundred protesters, who had camped out in the square overnight, as they called for civilian rule in Egypt as well as the trial of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, Reuters reported.

Outraged by the army's use of tears gas and batons, demonstrators clashed with security forces and at some point, were seen hurling stones at a burning army truck and bus.

Protesters came out in droves to defy a curfew imposed earlier on Friday after over a million Egyptians poured into Liberation Square and then marched toward the Israeli embassy in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians and to condemn the recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Clashes erupted outside the embassy as thousands of protesters gathered with plans to fly the Palestinian flag over the heavily guarded compound. Many others headed to the US embassy from Liberation Square to protest Israel's crippling siege on Gaza.

The angry crowd on Saturday promised to remain relentless in pursuit of their demands, including social reform and the prosecution of former regime figures. They also want the army to hand over power to a civilian government as part of its promise for reform.

The protests come weeks after Mubarak handed over power to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is headed by Defense Minister Gen. Mohammed Tantawi.

Activists demand the release of political prisoners, the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of the military court.

The emergency law, in place since former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated and Mubarak assumed power, allows authorities unfettered power to arrest people without charge and ban protests.

Anti-Israel rally turns violent in Cairo

Over one million Egyptian protesters in Cairo's Liberation Square demanded their military rulers to abandon Israel and lift the blockade on the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173818.html

Fierce clashes have erupted between the Egyptian army and thousands of protesters who gathered outside the Israeli embassy in the capital Cairo to demand severing of all ties with Tel Aviv.

Over one million Egyptian protesters in Cairo's Liberation Square demanded their military rulers to abandon Israel and lift the blockade on the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday. Thousands broke away from the crowd and marched toward the Israeli embassy, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Intense confrontations took place in front of the heavily guarded compound as protesters shouted "Bring down the flag, we don't want it," referring to the Israeli flag on top of the Israeli embassy's building.

Protesters vented their rage at Tel Aviv by burning the Israeli flag and demanding the liberation of Palestine, and promised to stand by Gazans, who have been suffering Israeli's constant aggression and its four-year long crippling siege, the Press TV correspondent added.

The recent Israeli attacks on the impoverished Gaza Strip since Thursday, which have caused a total of 18 casualties and dozens of injuries, lit the fuse for the massive demonstration.

The protesters also called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador in crisis-hit Egypt.

The development comes two months after a historic revolution ousted former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The protesters also demanded the prosecution of Egyptian officials belonging to the former regime -- mainly the ousted President Mubarak and his family.

Reports say that military police used tear gas and batons and fired shots to defuse the protest, which marked the biggest demonstration since the ouster of the former president.

Egypt's toppled regime under Mubarak served the interests of Israel by assisting and keeping silent on the killing of Gazans.

Egypt has imposed a blockade on Gaza since the democratically elected Hamas government took control of the territory in 2007. Since then Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on the territory triggering a humanitarian crisis.

A major Egyptian political party, the Muslim Brotherhood, has recently demanded that the country's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces take action in breaking the siege of Gaza.

This is while Israeli officials have been repeatedly threatening to launch a fresh major offensive against Gaza.

They say such an onslaught could be even more destructive and deadly than the one at the turn of 2009, which killed over 1,400 Palestinians -- many of them women and children.

Poverty, unemployment, lack of medicine and medical equipment are the main issues in the Gaza Strip, while most Palestinian children are physically stunted from malnutrition.

Human rights groups have also criticized the international community for its silence on the siege on Gaza and the 22-day Israeli war in December 2008 that shattered the stagnant economy of the territory.

Egypt protesters demand Mubarak trial

Egyptian protesters shout slogans against toppled dictator Hosni Mubarak during a protest in Cairo's Liberation Square on April 8, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173711.html

Over one million Egyptians have gathered in Cairo's Liberation Square, demanding the swift prosecution of former dictator Hosni Mubarak and his close associates.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched to Liberation square on the day they dubbed the "Day of Trial and Cleansing," a Press TV correspondent reported.

Protesters demanded the prosecution of officials belonging to the former regime --mainly the ousted president Mubarak and his family.

They accuse the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces -- now in power -- of corruption and thwarting the goals of the revolution.

Protesters have promised to continue their mass demonstrations until their demands for social reforms are met and former regime figures are tried. They also want the army to hand over power to a civilian government as part of the promised reforms.

The protests come weeks after Mubarak handed over power to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is headed by Defense Minister Gen. Mohammed Tantawi.

Activists demand the release of political prisoners, the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of the military court.

Egyptians say that they are skeptical about a rapid transition towards democracy and civilian rule and maintain that demonstrations will continue until all their demands are met.

Egypt's army has recently promised to lift the emergency rule ahead of the slated parliamentary and presidential elections.

This comes as people across the Arab world are holding another day of rage against their autocratic rulers. People in several Arab countries are holding mass anti-government rallies.

Egypt claims price difference from Israel

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Elarabi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173030.html

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi says the Camp David Accord includes no articles which would oblige his country to sell cheap oil and gas to Israel.

He told an Egyptian TV network that anyone who interprets the accord as such is truly mistaken.

Therefore, the top Egyptian diplomat said, Cairo is to claim the difference of the price charged for the natural gas exported to Israel and the real market rate.

He said former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was Israel's “strategic treasure,” meaning this would not be the case from now on.

Al-arabi also underlined that Iran should not be regarded as a hostile country.