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Despite Concessions, Egyptians Protest

VOA News November 23, 2011

Egyptian protesters are pressing their demand for the country's military rulers to step down immediately, a day after Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi announced concessions designed to ease discontent.

Demonstrators are in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a 5th day and fresh clashes are reported. At least 35 people have been killed during the past five days in clashes between security forces and protesters in Cairo and other main cities.

"We will not leave, we are here until we see changes, but now nothing has changed, we will not be fooled," said protester Khaled Samir. "The previous president attempted to deceive the people but he failed and finally responded to our demands."

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is urging Egyptian authorities to end what she called "clearly excessive force against protesters." In a Wednesday statement, she called images of the "brutal beatings" of "subdued protesters" "deeply shocking."

On Tuesday, Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, pledged to speed the transition to civilian rule with a presidential election before July 2012.

"We are committed to holding parliamentary elections on time. Presidential elections will be held before the end of 2012," said Tantawi. "The armed forces and the military council are not aiming to rule the country and are putting the interests of Egypt above all else and are fully prepared to hold a referendum on transferring power immediately to a civilian authority, if the people demand it."

Tantawi suggested he would be willing to consider holding a referendum on whether military rule should end earlier.

He also said he had accepted the resignation of the civilian Cabinet of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf but that it will remain in place until a new government is formed.

But tens of thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square rejected the steps as insufficient. They want the military to relinquish power now.

Parliamentary elections are set to begin on Monday and Tantawi pledged the polls would go forward as planned. But many opposition leaders believe that to be increasingly doubtful.

In another apparent concession to demonstrators, the military council earlier issued a law that bans anyone convicted of corruption from running for office or holding a government position. The move could restrict members of ex-president Hosni Mubarak's former ruling party from competing in the upcoming elections.

Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Egypt's rulers of brutality sometimes exceeding that of Mubarak.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.