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Egyptians Celebrate Week Anniversary of Mubarak's Departure

   VOA News  February 18, 2011
   Thousands  of  Egyptians  gather to pray and celebrate the fall of the
   Mubarak  regime,  and  to  maintain  pressure  on the current military
   rulers, in Cairo's Tahrir Square, February 18, 2011

Photo: AP

   Thousands  of  Egyptians  gather to pray and celebrate the fall of the
   Mubarak  regime,  and  to  maintain  pressure  on the current military
   rulers, in Cairo's Tahrir Square, February 18, 2011

   Tens  of  thousands of supporters of Egypt's democracy movement packed
   Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday for a day of celebration marking one week
   since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down.
   Supporters  have  been  chanting  and  waving  Egyptian  flags  during
   festivities which have included music from a military marching band.
   Meanwhile,  a  leading  Muslim cleric, Yusuf al-Qaradawi called on the
   Egyptian  army  to  listen  to  the will of the people and bring fresh
   faces  into Mr. Mubarak's former cabinet, which still includes many of
   the former president's allies.
   The cleric also called on the Egyptian people to be patient with their
   new  leadership.  The  Egyptian  army,  which has popular support, has
   assumed control of the government until elections can be held.
   Though  security  surrounds  the  square  -  the  site  of  18 days of
   anti-government protests leading up to Mr. Mubarak's resignation - the
   mood  has been upbeat. Demonstrations are expected to gain momentum as
   the day progresses.
   Egypt's  political  future  is still uncertain. The interim government
   has  said  a  presidential  election  will be held within the next six
   months.
   United  Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he welcomes the
   military's  commitment  to  holding  free  and  transparent elections,
   adding there is "no turning back" on promised political reforms in the
   country.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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