Egyptian military faces resistance in restoring order

EGYPT’S new military rulers said yesterday they had dissolved parliament, suspended the constitution and would govern only for six months or until elections took place, following the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

In a statement, the Higher Military Council which took over after 18 days of protest ended Mubarak’s 30-year rule, promised a referendum on constitutional amendments.

Earlier, troops took control of Tahrir Square, the fulcrum of protests that swept Mubarak from power, to let traffic through central Cairo as the army struggled to return life to normal.

Protesters argued heatedly in Tahrir Square over whether to stay or comply with army orders to help put Egypt back on its feet. “The people want the square cleared,” one group chanted. “We will not leave, we will not leave,” replied another.

The Arab world’s most populous country was taking its first tentative steps toward democracy and protest organisers were forming a Council of Trustees to defend the revolution and urge swift reform from a military intent on restoring law and order.

Police officers, emboldened by Mubarak’s downfall, gathered outside the Interior Ministry to demand higher pay. Warning shots were fired in the air. No one was hurt.

Earlier, troops, some wielding sticks, pushed protesters aside to reopen Tahrir Square to traffic.

The cabinet met and for the first time, the portrait of Mubarak, believed to be holed up in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, did not gaze over its proceedings as Egyptians quietly removed images of the 82-year-old former leader.

Protesters have demanded the immediate release of political prisoners, the lifting of a state of emergency used by Mubarak to crush opposition, the closure of military courts, fair elections and a swift hand over of power to civilians.

Despite Mubarak’s resignation, some protesters have said they plan to stay in the square to ensure the military council keeps its promises on transition. They plan a big demonstration on Friday to celebrate the revolution and honour those killed.

“The revolution is continuing. Its demands have not been met yet,” Mahmoud Nassar, an activist of the “Youth of the January 25 revolution”, told a news conference.

“The sit-in and protests are in constant activity until the demands are met. All are invited to join,” he said.

The military’s strategy has been to calm the nation and the world about its intentions and, in the short term, to ensure law was being enforced after the disgraced police melted away, having failed to crush the protest with tear gas and batons.

On Saturday, it said it would uphold Egypt’s international obligations, which include a peace treaty with Israel.

How to handle policing has become a pressing issue.

Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy has said Egypt needs “the speedy return of the police to duty”, saying 13,000 inmates who escape from prison early in the uprising were still on the run.