Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Public Holiday Gives Egyptâs Rulers More Time to Implement Reforms

   Lauren Frayer | Cairo  February 14, 2011

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   Egyptian  Prime  Minister Ahmed Shafiq talks during a press conference
   in Cairo, February 13, 2011

   Egyptians  have  another  day  off  work  Monday,  amid  word of a new
   timeline  for  implementing political reforms in the wake of President
   Hosni Mubarak's resignation.

   Egyptâs  military  rulers called a public holiday Monday, amid strikes
   by  bank  tellers,  state  media  employees and transport workers, all
   demanding  better  pay  and  benefits  after President Hosni Mubarakâs
   ouster.
   The  military  urged  Egyptians back to work, but is giving them a few
   days  to  do  so.  Tuesday  is  also a public holiday, for the Prophet
   Muhammadâs birthday. Egyptâs stock exchange is still closed, as well.
   Former  protester  Gihan  Mohamed  says  people  are worried about the
   economy.
   "This is a step forward, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us,â
   Gihan  said.  âThe  losses that the country has faced economically and
   the damages it went through, itâs going to take a while for us to come
   back from it. But hopefully we will."
   The  military  has dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution
   and says it will rule only six months, until elections are held. Prime
   Minister  Ahmed  Shafiq  says  most current ministers would stay until
   then.
   Mr.  Shafiq  says  Egypt's  normal way of life must be restored, along
   with  a  feeling  of  security  that was lost in recent weeks. He says
   insecurity is ending, although not at the pace it should.
   Activist and Google executive Wael Ghonim has posted notes on Facebook
   from  a  meeting between military chiefs and youth representatives. He
   said   an   independent  committee  is  preparing  amendments  to  the
   constitution over the next 10 days. The public will be able to vote on
   them  in  two  months.  That  is  the  first  word of any timeline for
   reforms, but there has been no confirmation from the government.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
   NEW: Follow our Middle East reports on [1]Twitter
   and discuss them on our [2]Facebook page.

References

   1. http://twitter.com/VOAMidEast
   2. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOAMiddleEastVoices/124360240958667?%20%20%20%20v=wall

.