Egypt clamps down on media, Internet

Egptian protesters trampling the picture of President Hosni Mubarak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162366.html

The Egyptian government has stepped up its clampdown on the media and communications services ahead of massive protests expected after Friday prayers.

Internet services and cell phone text messaging have been cut across the African country to prevent the organizers of the protests from further connection, AFP reported on Friday.

On Thursday, Egypt's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, called on the country's people to continue the protests after the weekly Muslim prayer congregation of Friday.

At least 20 members of the opposition group, including five former parliament representatives, were detained overnight Friday, the group's lawyer Abdelmoneim Abdel Maqsoud said.

The Muslim Brotherhood spokesman, Essam al-Arian, warned that Egypt will “explode” if the government continues its policy of repression and does not listen to the people.

The government has taken tougher actions by heavily deploying security forces especially in the capital, Cairo and has warned of decisive measures against the dissidents.

US President Barack Obama has urged the Egyptian government to shun violence saying the recent demonstrations have provided an opportunity for the government to adopt political reforms.

The country's prominent opposition figure, Mohamed ElBaradei, who has just arrived in Egypt form Vienna, has expressed readiness to lead the protest movement with the aim of enabling a “peaceful transition” of power.

Reports say that at least nine people have been killed and hundreds arrested during the past three days of unrest that aims at putting an end to President Hosni Mubarak's three-decade rule.

Street protests that commenced in Egypt four days ago were inspired by the recent uprising in Tunisia that led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

20 Egypt opposition members detained

Egyptian riot police roam the streets during clashes with anti-government protesters at night in Suez, Egypt Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162353.html

At least 20 members of Egypt's opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, have been arrested as tensions rise ahead of the Muslim Friday prayers, the group's lawyer says.

Abdelmoneim Abdel Maqsoud said that the members, including five former parliament representatives, were detained overnight Friday, AFP reported.

Although Egyptian authorities have banned protests, the Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday called on people to gather en masse and continue the demonstrations in their fourth day after the Friday prayers.

The Muslim Brotherhood spokesman, Essam al-Arian, warned that Egypt will “explode” if the government continues its policy of repression and does not listen to the people.

The ruling regime in Cairo has disrupted Internet service and deployed special operations counterterrorism forces on the side of several roads in capital Cairo.

Egypt's interior ministry has warned of “decisive measures” against anti-government protests that have turned into the country's largest uprising since President Hosni Mubarak came to power three decades ago.

US President Barack Obama called on Mubarak on Thursday to make "absolutely critical" reforms, boosting pressure on the key US ally. However, an Israeli minister said the Egyptian government will have to exercise force to rein in public protests.

The country's prominent opposition figure, Mohamed ElBaradei, who has just arrived in Egypt form Vienna, has expressed readiness to lead the protest movement with the aim of enabling a “peaceful transition” of power.

According to opposition group, Egyptian riot police have cracked down on the anti-government protesters, killing at least nine people and arresting up to 1,200 activists in the past three days of protests.