February 3, 2011
Briefs from Egypt, February 3rd
- At least 24 people are killed and more than 1000 wounded in clashes throughout Egypt, 13 are killed in Suez.
- International archeologists have volunteered to go to Egypt to help protect the country’s cultural heritage amid violent anti-government protests.
- Egyptian PM Ahmed Shafik has officially apologized for the armed attacks on protestors in central Cario on behalf of the country’s leadership.
- The Egyptian government’s five-day block of Internet services cost the national economy at least US$90 million, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Thursday.
- Five EU nations have urged an “immediate” political transition to end violent unrest in Egypt. The joint statement was issued by Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
- The chairman of Egypt’s stock exchange said trading hours will be shortened to three from the normal four when it reopens next week, the official state news agency reported.
- All Egyptian ports are closed because of a lack of staff, though the Suez Canal is operating as normal, Inchcape Shipping Services reported yesterday.
- The crisis has paralyzed the Egyptian economy, as the government has closed banks, idled trains and shuttered schools. Markets are running short of basic food staples, and the situation is hurting the ability of ordinary citizens to join the demonstrations.
- CNN reported that the first Molotov cocktails were thrown from within the ranks of pro-government forces.
- More than 600 people were injured and at least three killed in the clashes, according to state television, as the battle lines shifted with government supporters challenging the demonstrators who reject Mubarak’s plan to remain in power until September elections.
- Gunfire erupted early this morning in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, with sustained bursts of automatic weapons fire starting around 4 a.m., the Associated Press reported. The Al Jazeera network showed footage of bodies being pulled on the street.
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