'Mubarak glued to seat of power'

Cairo's Liberation Square remains flooded with demonstrators who call on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately step down.

As protesters across Egypt enter their 13th consecutive day calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's immediate resignation, analyst Roula Talj says Mubarak “is glued to his seat,” following his 30 years in power.

Mubarak is doing his best to stay in power “as well as people like Omar Suleiman and other figures of the former regime” Talj said in an exclusive interview with Press TV.

“There are regional and international forces trying to gain time until they find a decent alternative” she added.

It is “the decision of the people of Egypt right now [if] they would like to go forward with their own agenda or wait for the West to realize what is going on and put a grip over the revolution,” she noted.

Egyptians seek Mubarak's resignation after 13 days of protests that has already claimed over 300 lives and thousands of injuries, according to the United Nations.

The protesters named the 13th day as “Day of Martyrs,” to honor fallen martyrs in the North African country.

The protesters have managed to keep their position despite a heavy army presence and attacks by pro-government thugs.

They say their achievements in recent days make it impossible for them to turn back without Mubarak quitting power.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163890.html

Egypt 13th protests day, Day of Martyrs

Cairo's Liberation Square remains flooded with demonstrators who call on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately step down.

Anti-government protests in troubled Egypt have entered its 13th consecutive day as Cairo's Liberation Square remains flooded with demonstrators who call on President Hosni Mubarak to immediately step down.

The protesters named the 13th day as “Day of Martyrs,” to honor fallen martyrs. They are now calling for fresh multi-million-strong marches across the crisis-hit country on Sunday, a Press TV correspondent said.

They have managed to keep their position despite a heavy army presence and attacks by pro-government thugs.

The protesters say their achievements in recent days make it impossible for them to turn back until Mubarak quits power.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood has announced that it has started talks with the authorities.

"Keeping in mind the interests of the nation and its institutions and concerned about preserving the country's independence... we decided to begin talks to see up to what point they are ready to accept the demands of the people," AFP quoted an official from the Muslim Brotherhood as saying.

A report says the talks have already started between the two sides, while others say a dialogue between representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian cabinet is scheduled for Sunday.

The opposition group says the move is aimed at examining how ready the Egyptian government is to accept the demands of the people.

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on Saturday, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

Mubarak also reportedly held talks with key cabinet members to try to kick-start Egypt's economy, which has been hit hard by the ongoing protests. 
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Egypt protesters mass in Liberation Sq.

Egyptians camped out in Cairo's Liberation Square have vowed to continue their protests to oust President Hosni Mubarak .

Much larger crowds of Egyptian protesters have been entering Cairo's Liberation Square on the 13th day of anti-government protests as the government is trying to back everything to normal.

The Egyptian army on Sunday tightened security around the square in the Egyptian capital as the massive countrywide demonstrations entered their thirteenth day, which was dubbed “Day of Martyrs”, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The soldiers patrolled Cairo's streets as the Egyptian government tries to reopen banks and shops in the city center after almost two weeks of closure.

The government moved to get people back to work following twelve days of protests while the protesters have pledged to continue the revolution until Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down.

The incumbent Egyptian president, however, insists that he will stay in office until the next presidential election in September.

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on the same day, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

Mubarak also reportedly held talks with key cabinet members to try to kick-start Egypt's economy, which has been hit hard by the ongoing protests.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163897.html

Egypt's MB, VP begin landmark talks

Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman

Egypt's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has started landmark talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman amid the mass protests across the crisis-hit country.

According to the group's website, the senior officials of Muslim Brotherhood began the historic talks on the 13th day of anti-government protests, demanding an immediate elimination of Emergency Law and guarantees for peaceful protests.

"We are starting a round of talks to know how serious they are about responding to the demands of the people," Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gamal Abul Nasser said.

The group's officials say they would drop out if demands expressed by the protesters during the last two weeks are not met.

The Muslim Brotherhood calls for equal opportunities to all political parties in the media and the halting of the State TV's efforts to distort facts.

The opposition group also calls the formation of a national coalition transitional government.

The government has pledged to hold talks with all opposition parties to discuss democratic reforms that would lead to the replacement of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The Muslim Brotherhood is officially banned in Egypt. The group, however, enjoys wide popular support.

Meanwhile, much larger crowds of Egyptian protesters have been entering Cairo's Liberation Square on Sunday morning as the government is trying to back everything to normal.

A Press TV correspondent reported on Sunday that the Egyptian army have tightened security around the square in the Egyptian capital and prevent food from reaching protesters in the square as the massive countrywide demonstrations entered their thirteenth day, which was dubbed “Day of Martyrs.”

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on the same day, but demonstrators staging a 13th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.

Beleaguered Mubarak also reportedly held talks with key cabinet members to try to kick-start Egypt's economy, which has been hit hard by the ongoing protests in the North African country.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163900.html

British firms help Egypt dictatorship

British companies have been hit for working “hand in glove with dictatorship” in Egypt over their close cooperation with the president Hosni Mubarak's regime.

Egypt has been the scene of mass protests especially in the capital Cairo where millions-strong rallies have been held in the city's central al-Tahrir square to call for an end to Mubarak's 30 year rule.

The protests have led to sporadic violence between the protestors and the security forces some of them in plainclothes raising fears of human rights abuses.

Anti-Egyptian government groups slammed Vodafone, the world's biggest mobile phone operator, for helping Mubarak regime by shutting down the mobile phone network in the Middle Eastern country.

Meanwhile, the social justice group Platform lashed out at BP for using its influence in the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo to persuade the US Congress to withdraw support for a recent motion, which called on Mubarak to hold fair elections and respect human rights.

Platform also hit BP Egypt chairman Hesham Mekawi for his praise for the “stability of the country”.

This comes as BP, which is running oil operations worth $14 billion in Egypt, claimed its presence in Egypt has benefited the entire population there.

"We've been in Egypt for 40-plus years as a major investor in the country's industry, employing a well-trained workforce in quality jobs, supplying significant amounts of energy to meet the rapidly growing population's needs," said a spokesman.

The oil giant is expecting to earn almost 10% of its overall oil production from Egypt in the coming years after discovery of massive fields in the country.

Meanwhile, Vodafone's Collao said they have some of their “infrastructure” damaged while insisting they had no other choice than abiding by Mubarak regime's orders to shut down the mobile network.

"The network was down for 24 hours. We didn't have any option as the government was within its rights under emergency powers that it invoked after the outbreak of demonstrations," the British company said.
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US uses UK nukes as bargaining chip

The US government has used Britain's nuclear secrets as a bargaining chip in its talks with Russia on the controversial 'New STARY' treaty, it has been disclosed.

The US secretly agreed to give the Russians sensitive information about every Trident missile it supplies to Britain to appease them into signing the new arms control treaty, the Daily Telegraph reported.

New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a bilateral nuclear arms reduction treaty signed between the United States and the Russian Federation. The treaty was first signed on April 8, 2010, in Prague by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, the presidents of the two countries.

New START is a follow-up to the 1991 START One treaty, which expired in December 2009, and to START Two and the 2002 Treaty of Moscow (SORT), which was due to expire in December 2012.

Britain has tried so far to maintain a policy of refusing to confirm the exact size of its nuke arsenal, something that defense analysts believe will now be undermined by revelation of a secret US-Russian agreement.

The revelation of the behind-the-scenes talks is yet another blow to the so-called 'special relationship' between the US and Britain.

The talks are contained in more than 1,400 US embassy cables published by the whistle blower website the WikiLeaks and in partnership with the Daily Telegraph.
The leaked cables reveal that Russia has used the talks on New START treaty to demand more information about the UK's Trident missiles, which the US manufactures and maintains them.

“This appears to be significant because while the UK has announced how many missiles it possesses, there has been no way for the Russians to verify this. Over time, the unique identifiers will provide them with another data point to gauge the size of the British arsenal”, said Professor Malcolm Chalmers.

“They want to find out whether Britain has more missiles than we say we have, and having the unique identifiers might help them”, said Duncan Lennox, editor of Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems.

While the US and Russia have long permitted inspections of each other's nuclear weapons, Britain has sought to maintain some secrecy to compensate for the relatively small size of its arsenal.

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, last year disclosed that “up to 160” warheads are operational at any one time, but did not confirm the number of missiles.
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Israel appoints new chief of staff

Israel's former deputy chief of staff Major General Benny Gantz

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has appointed Major General Benny Gantz as the regime's 20th armed forces chief of staff after months of infighting among the high command over the issue.

Barak said he has Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing for promoting Gantz, a former deputy chief of staff, to head Israel's military, Israeli media reported.

The decision was taken for "the urgent need at this time to dispel the uncertainties surrounding the appointment of a chief of general staff," Barak said.

The choice of Gantz has to be ratified by the government on Sunday and also by an ethics committee.

Barak's first choice for the post, Major General Yoav Galant, was ruled out by the attorney general and the state comptroller last Tuesday after he was accused of illegally obtaining land around his house on Moshav Amikam.

Galant commanded Israel's 22-day war on the Gaza Strip in December-January 2008, during which at least 1,400 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians were killed and thousands of others were displaced.

Former chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Barak were "no longer able to work together," Israeli dailyHa'aretz quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Tension between the two increased amid calls by politicians and public figures to extend Ashkenazi's term as chief of staff beyond his scheduled retirement on February 14 and until the cabinet appoints a suitable successor.

Barak has formerly accused Ashkenazi of ethical and professional flaws.


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Thugs loot Cairo Int. Media Center

Security forces and thugs have raided and looted the International Center for Media in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as the revolution in the crisis-hit country enters its 13th day.

The International Center for Media announced on Sunday that all the equipment at its Cairo office has been seized by the assailants, a Press Tv correspondent reported.

This is while, Egypt's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has started landmark talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman demanding an immediate elimination of Emergency Law and guarantees for peaceful protests.

Meanwhile, much larger crowds of Egyptian protesters have been entering Cairo's Liberation Square to mark the 13th day of revolution, dubbed “Day of Martyrs.”

The Egyptian army has tightened security around the square in the Egyptian capital.

Egypt's incumbent President Hosni Mubarak, however, insists that he will stay in office until the next presidential election in September.

On Saturday, Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak has resigned as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.

Senior members of Mubarak's party also resigned on the same day, but demonstrators staging a 12th day of revolution rejected the shuffle as a cosmetic move.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163901.html

Iran begins trial of three US spies

File photo of the two US detainees Shane Bauer (L) and Josh Fattal

The trial of the three US nationals detained in Iran for illegal entry and charged with espionage has begun in the Iranian capital of Tehran behind closed doors.

The trial, which heard the charges brought against Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, began at 10 a.m. on Sunday in Tehran's Revolution Court.

Bauer, Fattal and Shourd were arrested in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border into Iran from the mountains of northern Iraq's Kurdistan region.

Shourd was not present at the first session of the trial; however, her lawyer submitted a statement on her behalf.

The three have pleaded not guilty.

The Tehran Prosecutor's office says it has 'compelling evidence' that three were cooperating with US intelligence agencies.

No date has been confirmed for the next court session.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163932.html

Egypt protesters call for final countdown

Egyptian anti-government demonstrators gather in Liberation Square in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011. AP photo

Egyptian protesters call for fresh multi-million-strong rallies against out-of-favor President Hosni Mubarak and his government in the coming days.

Egyptian demonstrators gathered in Cairo's Liberation Square on Sunday to honor the martyrs of 13 days of anti-government protests.

They have managed to stay in the central square, despite heavy army presence and attacks by pro-government thugs.

Protesters say their achievements in recent days have made it impossible for them to give up until President Mubarak quits power.

The developments come as the government has entered talks with opposition groups to discuss political reforms.

Egypt's opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, has agreed to join talks with the government of President Mubarak but says that the meeting is “in no way in the form of negotiations, it is rather statement of our demands.”

Senior party officials said they would enter talks with Vice-President Omar Suleiman, but will drop out if the demands made by the protesters during the last two weeks are not met.

Earlier, the Muslim Brotherhood representative in Britain, Mohammad Ghanem, confirmed to Press TV that his party will hold talks with the government. However, he said the position of the Muslim Brotherhood has not changed.

The government has pledged to hold talks with all opposition parties to discuss democratic reforms that would lead to the replacement of President Mubarak.

The Muslim Brotherhood is officially banned in Egypt. The group, however, enjoys popular support.

Meanwhile, people and leaders around the world are rallying in solidarity with the Egyptian people's protests against Mubarak.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a democratic transition in Egypt as soon as possible.

Erdogan suggested that an interim administration be formed to pave the way for the fulfillment of the Egyptian people's demands.

The Turkish leader said democratic change in Egypt would have a positive impact on the entire region.

Earlier, Erdogan called on the Egyptian president to immediately step down, saying Mubarak's promise to resign in September is not enough.

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Mubarak paid thugs to buy support

A photo showing clashes between plainclothes police and anti-government protesters near Liberation Square on February 3, 2011.

Reports have suggested that the Hosni Mubarak regime's operatives paid thousands of Egyptian pounds to thugs to buy their loyalty and have them attack protesters.

A video posted on Press TV's UReport section, shows one Egyptian recounting how the interior ministry paid thousands of Egyptian pounds to several prisoners and thugs in return for their pledge of allegiance.

Several citizens from Cairo and other major cities have contacted regional media outlets to tell their personal stories.

A young man from a village in Alexandria says he was among a group of more than 30, who each received EGP 5,000.

He said that the group was assigned to chant pro-Mubarak slogans and attack anti-regime protesters.

The interior ministry had deployed hundreds of thugs and plainclothes police in central Cairo and other cities to contain the protests.

Clashes and pitched battles between plainclothes police and anti-government protesters scores of people dead in and around Cairo's Liberation Square.

Several people were also killed in Suez, Alexandria, Mansoura and other cities.

The UN says at least 300 people have been killed and thousands more have been wounded in Egypt in the nearly two weeks of protest against the government.

Meanwhile, thousands of Egyptians have gathered in Cairo's Liberation Square to honor the martyrs of the 13 days of anti-government protests.

Despite talks between the opposition and the government, Egyptians continue to demand Mubarak's regime steps down. 

Mubarak regime makes big concessions

After meeting with opposition representatives, the Egyptian government agrees to the formation of a constitutional reform panel and the release of political prisoners.

Vice President Omar Suleiman, who is known to be cooperating with CIA, met a wide representation of major opposition groups on Sunday, nearly two weeks since the start of massive anti-government protests across the country.

Suleiman endorsed a plan with the opposition to set up a committee of judiciary and political figures to study proposed constitutional amendments that would allow more candidates to run for president and impose term limits on the presidency, the state news agency reported.

The committee was given until the first week of March to finish the tasks.

A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood commented on the outcome of the meeting saying, “We hope to take the country to stability, security and democracy, which can bring in the future prosperity, equality, justice and human dignity for all Egyptians.”

Millions of Egyptians took to the streets on Sunday to honor hundreds of protesters killed during the anti-government rallies of the past 13 days.

In the Egyptian capital Cairo tens of thousands of people have gathered in Liberation Square for what they have dubbed the "Day of Martyrs."

Protesters are flooding into the heart of the city despite heavy military presence. The army has promised not to use force against protesters.

Protesters are demanding an immediate end to President Hosni Mubarak's three decades in power.

They say they will not leave the streets unless their demands are met. They are now calling for fresh millions-strong marches across Egypt.

The UN says at least 300 people have been killed and thousands more have been wounded in Egypt in the nearly two weeks of protest against the government.

People around the world are rallying to show solidarity with the Egyptian people.
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