ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center
SOURCE: JPOST
28January2011 8:32pmEST
GCIS/MSS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: CAIRO – Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak fired his Cabinet early Saturday and promised reforms in his first response to protesters who have mounted the biggest challenge ever to his 30-year rule.
But many protesters were outraged by Mubarak's nationally televised address, in which he also defended the crackdown by police on tens of thousands of demonstrators that drew harsh criticism from the Obama administration Friday, and even a threat to reduce a $1.5 billion program of foreign aid if Egypt escalated the use of force.
The number of people killed in the latest day of anti-government protests in Egypt rose to 30 on Friday, with 13 people killed in the port city of Suez, al-Jazeera reported.
Nearly 20 people were also reportedly injured in the protests in Suez, with over 900 people injured throughout the country.
Mubarak's decision to dismiss Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and the rest of the Cabinet would be interpreted as a serious attempt at bringing change under normal circumstances. But on a day when tens of thousands of people took to the streets to demand Mubarak's ouster, it fell far short of expectations. (read full report)
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