jeudi 10 février 2011

BBC live coverage of Egypt unrest

  • 19h11: The BBC's Paul Adams in Cairo describes the atmosphere in Tahrir Square: "It's a bit like a rock concert before the band comes on stage."
  • 19h07: The BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem says the worst-case scenario for Israel would be if Mr Mubarak resigns, new elections are held and the subsequent government is hostile to Israel.
  • 19h06: President Mubarak will announce constitutional procedures before handing over his powers to the vice president, Al- Arabiya TV said on Thursday, citing its own correspondent.
  • 18h52: Journalist Shahira Amin in Tahrir Square tells the BBC World Service that "people thought Egypt was like a mountain that would never be moved", and that people in Cairo are cherishing what seems to be a victory. "The next two months are going to be crucial for Egypt. I am certain that political reforms will be implemented. We cannot go back to the old days."
  • 18h51: These protests began weeks ago amid anger of rising food prices and corruption, problems Egypt is not alone in suffering. For more information on what sparked the unrest and what impact it might have, read the BBC's Q&A.
  • 18h47: The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Washington was watching Mr Obama's speech in Michigan. He says that the key word in the statement was "genuine". Washington wants to know what follows next if President Mubarak resigns, our correspondent adds.
  • 18h45: The UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague says the Egyptian authorities have been too slow in responding to the protests. "If they had been prepared to say a few weeks ago things they have been prepared to say in the past week, then there would have been a more stable situation and less powerful demonstrations. Steadily, they have been pushed along by the force and numbers of the demonstrations."
  • 18h43: The BBC's Paul Adams in Tahrir Square says: "People are daring to hope that this is what they've been waiting for. This could turn out to be a decisive moment in Egypt's winter revolution, but there are still plenty of questions to answer. Even as they celebrate, the protestors wait for the president to make his intentions clear."
  • 18h40: Speaking in Michigan, President Obama says the world is "witnessing history unfold" in Egypt. He says that the "people of Egypt are calling for change," and repeats his call for an "orderly and genuine transition to democracy".
  • 18h39: Earlier in the protests, Mr Mubarak had promised he was going to stand down at elections to be held in September - but that was not enough for the people on the streets. Many said they did not trust him to keep his word.
  • 18h29: Activist Mona in Tahrir Square tells the BBC World Service she is concerned about the current uncertainty and the "very conflicting reports" about who will take over. She says she would feel more comfortable with the army temporarily taking over rather than Vice President Omar Suleiman. "For many people he is just a mirror image of the present regime."
  • 18h28: Egyptian blogger Sandmonkey tweets: "There isn't an empty inch in Tahrir."
  • 18h25: Thursday, the 17th day of the protests in Tahrir Square, has been a day of mass strikes and walkouts across Egypt. Doctors joined bus drivers, lawyers and textile workers on the streets to demand change.
  • 18h24: President Obama will make comments on the situation in Egypt at 1830 GMT, a White House spokesman is quoted as saying by Reuters.
  • 18h23: BBC's Lyse Doucet tweets: "Mood electric in Cairo. Palpable sense of anticipation. What will Mubarak say tonight?"
  • 18h21: The BBC's Fergus Nicoll in Tahrir Square says people are waiting for the army to clarify its position. "Everybody is on tenterhooks." He tells the BBC World Service people on the Square are following radio broadcasts and news on their laptops. "If something dramatic happens the place will go bananas."

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