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Life In Egypt Slowly Returning To Normal Following Weeks Of Protests

   Citizens try to get back to normal with military now in charge.

   Lauren Frayer | Cairo  February 13, 2011
   People celebrate President Mubarak's resignation on the streets of New
   York City, Feb 11, 2011

Photo: VOA Photo A. Phillips

   People celebrate President Mubarak's resignation on the streets of New
   York City, Feb 11, 2011

   Most  of  Egyptâs  pro-democracy  protesters  are  putting  down their
   placards  and  getting  back  to work Sunday, on the first full day of
   business since President Hosni Mubarakâs ouster.Â
   Only  a  few  hangers-on  remain  in  Cairoâs  Tahrir  Square, but the
   demonstrators  that  brought  Egypt to a standstill for 18 days -- and
   peacefully ousted their president -- are airing their demands.
   A  coalition  of  youth  groups  said  Saturday  they want Egyptâs new
   military  rulers to lift emergency laws. Those laws have been in place
   30  years,  granting  security  forces  broad  powers to detain people
   without  charge.  The former protesters also want parliament dissolved
   and   a  new  unity  government  in  its  place,  and  they  want  the
   constitution amended or rewritten entirely.
   Former  protester  Khalid  Shahwan says he understands that could take
   time.
   "Itâs going to take time for them to change the constitution, for them
   to make good elections, proper elections," he said.
   His friend Gihan Mohamed says the very culture of Egyptâs ruling elite
   has to change.
   "I  hope  things  are  going  to  change  because  there  is  a lot of
   corruption in the country, like lots of corruption, and I hope it will
   change," she said.
   The  countryâs  new  military  rulers  are  laying  out  their  plans,
   promising  Saturday to eventually hand power to an elected government,
   and  abide  by international treaties -- an indication that peace with
   Israel will remain.
   The  military  council also called on Egyptians themselves to push the
   economy  forward,  urging them back to their jobs. Sunday is the first
   regular business day since President Hosni Mubarakâs ouster.

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