In Egypt, Thousands Demand Reform, Peace
VOA News May 13, 2011
Thousands gathered in Cairo's main square on Friday urging an end to sectarian violence, continued political reforms and support of the Palestinian cause.
The rally comes after Muslim-Christian clashes left 12 dead over the weekend in sectarian fighting. Violence between Egypt's Coptic Christians and conservative Muslims has led to calls for tolerance.
Some in the crowd waved Palestinian flags in support of rallies on Friday in the Palestinian territories leading up to Sunday's commemoration of what Palestinians call Naqba (catastrophe), the anniversary of the creation of Israel.
Others called for continued political reforms and the prosecution of officials linked to the former government of ex-president Hosni Mubarak.
Arrest ordered
Meanwhile, anti-corruption investigators have now ordered another member of the country's former ruling family to be detained.
Egypt's state-run media (MENA) said Friday officials ordered the wife of former President Hosni Mubarak, Suzanne, detained for 15 days.
MENA said the order came after both were questioned for three hours in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Officials said Mrs. Mubarak would be transferred to a prison near Cairo.
MENA also said both Mubaraks had agreed to reveal information about their personal banks accounts in Egypt and around the world.
Ill-gotten wealth
The Mubaraks have face numerous allegations that they used their positions to illegally acquire massive wealth.
Mubarak has been staying at a hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh after being ousted from office during massive anti-government protests in February. The 83-year-old was hospitalized on April 12 and has been detained there on prosecution holds lasting 15 days. His detention orders were extended twice, most recently on Tuesday.
Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, are both being held at Cairo-area prisons in connection with the corruption investigation.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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