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2011 Egyptian revolution

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The 2011 Egyptian revolution (Arabic: ‫ يناير‬25 ‫ثورة‬ 2011 Egyptian revolution
thawrah 25 yanāyir, Revolution of 25 January) took place
following a popular uprising that began on 25 January
2011 which featured a series of demonstrations, marches,
acts of civil disobedience, labor strikes, and violent clashes
between protestors and security services and supporters of
the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Protests took place in Cairo,
Alexandria, and other cities in Egypt, following similar
events in Tunisia that saw the overthrow of the long time
Tunisian president. Millions of protesters from a variety of
socio-economic backgrounds and religions demanded the Demonstrators at Cairo's Tahrir Square on 8
overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni February 2011
Mubarak. On 11 February, Mubarak resigned from office
Location Egypt
following weeks of determined popular protest and
pressure. Date 25 January 2011 – Ongoing unrest

Characteristics civil disobedience, civil resistance,

Grievances of Egyptian protesters focused on legal and
demonstrations, riots, strike
political issues[10] including police brutality,[11] state of
actions
emergency laws,[11] lack of free elections and freedom of
speech,[12] uncontrollable corruption,[12] as well as Death(s) at least 384[1][2] including at least
economic issues including high unemployment,[13] food 135 protesters, 12 policemen,
[3][4][5]
price inflation,[13] and low minimum wages.[11][13] The 12 escaped prisoners, and
primary demands from protest organizers are the end of one prison chief[6][7]
the Hosni Mubarak regime, the end of Emergency Law Injured 5,500 people[8]
(martial law), freedom, justice, a responsive non-military
government, and management of Egypt's resources.[14] Result Resignation of President Hosni
Labor unions were said to play an integral part in the Mubarak, and the military
protests.[15] controlling the Egyptian
government. Military promising a
As of 16 February, at least 365 deaths had been reported, civilian government and the lift of
and those injured number in the thousands. The capital the emergency law. Arrests of
city of Cairo was described as "a war zone,"[16] and the former ministers and their trial.
port city of Suez has been the scene of frequent violent Freezing of the Ex-President
clashes. The government imposed a curfew that protesters Mubarak's assets as well as his
defied and that the police and military did not enforce. The
family's. Ongoing.[9]
presence of Egypt's Central Security Forces police, loyal
to Mubarak, was gradually replaced by largely restrained
military troops. In the absence of police, there was looting by Egypt
gangs that opposition sources said were instigated by
plainclothes police officers. In response, civilians
self-organised watch groups to protect neighbourhoods.
[17][18][19][20][21]

International response to the protests was initially mixed,[22]

though most have called for some sort of peaceful protests on
both sides and moves toward reform. Mostly Western
governments also expressed concern for the situation. Many
governments issued travel advisories and began making

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attempts at evacuating their citizens from the country.[23] The

Egyptian Revolution, along with Tunisian events, has This article is part of the series:
influenced demonstrations in other Arab countries including Politics and government of
Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan and Libya. Egypt

Mubarak dissolved his government and appointed military

figure and former head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Government
Directorate Omar Suleiman as Vice-President in an attempt to
quell dissent. Mubarak asked aviation minister and former Supreme Council of the Armed
chief of Egypt's Air Force, Ahmed Shafik, to form a new Forces
Chairman
government. Mohamed ElBaradei became a major figure of
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi
the opposition, with all major opposition groups supporting his
Prime Minister (List)
role as a negotiator for some form of transitional unity Essam Sharaf
government.[24] In response to mounting pressure Mubarak Cabinet
announced he would not seek re-election in September.[25]
Legislative
On 11 February, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced
Parliament
that Mubarak would be stepping down as president and Shura Council
turning power over to the Supreme Council of the Armed People's Assembly
Forces.[26] The junta, headed by effective head of state
Judicial
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, announced on 13 February that
the constitution would be suspended, both houses of Judicial system
parliament dissolved, and that the military would rule for six Supreme Constitutional Court
months until elections could be held. The prior cabinet, Governorates
including Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, would continue to Regions
serve as a caretaker government until a new one is formed.[27]
Elections
Shafik resigned on 3 March 2011, a day before major protests
to get him to step down were planned; he was replaced by
Elections
Essam Sharaf, the former transport minister.[28] Presidential: 2005, 2011
Parliamentary: 2010, 2011
Shura Council: 2010, 2011
Municipal: 2008, 2011
Contents Political parties

1 Naming Political parties

2 Background Former political parties
2.1 Emergency law
2.2 Police brutality Foreign policy
2.3 Economic challenges
Foreign relations
2.4 Corruption Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3 Lead-up to the protests
3.1 Tunisian revolution
3.2 Self-immolation Other countries · Atlas
3.3 National Police Day protests Politics portal

4 Protests
4.1 Timeline
4.2 Cities and regions
5 Deaths
6 International reactions
6.1 Post-ousting
7 Domestic responses

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7.1 Reform process

8 Analysis
8.1 Women's role
8.2 Regional instability
8.3 The military's role
8.4 Online activism
8.5 Foreign relations
9 See also
10 References
11 Further reading
12 External links

Naming
In Egypt and also the wider Arab world, the protests and subsequent changes in the government, are mostly
called the 25 January Revolution (‫ يناير‬25 ‫ ثورة‬Thawrat 25 Yanāyir) and Rage Revolution (‫)ثورة الغضب‬,and
sometimes called [29] the Revolution of the Youth (‫ ثورة الشباب‬Thawrat al-Shabāb), Lotus Revolution (‫ثورة‬
‫ )اللوتس‬or the White Revolution (‫ الثورة البيضاء‬al-Thawrah al-bayḍāʾ). In the Media it has been known as the
"18 Day Revolution".

Background
Hosni Mubarak became head of Egypt's semi-presidential republic government following the assassination of
President Anwar El Sadat, and continued to serve until his departure in 2011. Mubarak's 30-year reign made
him the longest serving President in Egypt's history.[30] Mubarak and his National Democratic Party (NDP)
government maintained one-party rule under a continuous state of emergency since 1981.[31] Mubarak's
government earned the support of the West and a continuation of annual aid from the United States by
maintaining policies of suppression towards Islamic militants and peace with Israel.[31] Hosni Mubarak was
often compared to an Egyptian pharaoh by the media and by some of his harsher critics due to his
authoritarian rule.[32]

Emergency law

Main article: Emergency law in Egypt

An emergency law (Law No. 162 of 1958) was enacted after the 1967 Six-Day War, suspended for 18
months in the early 1980s,[33] and continuously in effect since President Sadat's 1981 assassination.[34]
Under the law, police powers are extended, constitutional rights suspended, censorship is legalized,[35] and
the government may imprison individuals indefinitely and without reason. The law sharply limits any
non-governmental political activity, including street demonstrations, non-approved political organizations,
and unregistered financial donations.[33] The Mubarak government has cited the threat of terrorism in order
to extend the emergency law,[34] claiming that opposition groups like the Muslim Brotherhood could come
into power in Egypt if the current government did not forgo parliamentary elections and suppressed the group
through actions allowed under emergency law.[36] This has led to the imprisonment of activists without
trials,[37] illegal undocumented hidden detention facilities,[38][39] and rejecting university, mosque, and
newspaper staff members based on their political inclination.[40] A parliamentary election in December 2010
was preceded by a media crackdown, arrests, candidate bans (particularly of the Muslim Brotherhood), and
allegations of fraud involving the near unanimous victory by the ruling party in parliament.[33] Human rights

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organizations estimate that in 2010 between 5,000 and 10,000 people were in long-term detention without
charge or trial.[41][42]

Police brutality

Further information: Law enforcement in Egypt

The deployment of plainclothes forces paid by Mubarak's ruling party, Baltageya[43] (Arabic: ‫)بلطجية‬, has
been a hallmark of the Mubarak government.[43] The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights has
documented 567 cases of torture, including 167 deaths, by police that occurred between 1993 and 2007.[44]
On 6 June 2010, Khaled Mohamed Saeed died under disputed circumstances in the Sidi Gaber area of
Alexandria. Multiple witnesses testified that Saeed was beaten to death by the police.[45][46] Activists
rallying around a Facebook page called "We are all Khaled Said" succeeded in bringing nationwide attention
to the case.[47] Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, led a rally in
2010 in Alexandria against alleged abuses by the police and visited Saeed's family to offer condolences.[48]

Economic challenges

Demographic

Further information: Demographics of Egypt

Further information: Demographic trap
Further information: Youth bulge

The population of Egypt grew from 30,083,419 in 1966[49] to roughly

79,000,000 by 2008.[50] The vast majority of Egyptians live in the
limited spaces near the banks of the Nile River, in an area of about
40,000 square kilometers (15,000 sq mi), where the only arable land is
found and competing with the need of human habitations. In late
2010, around 40 percent of Egypt's population of just under 80 million
lived on the fiscal income equivalent of roughly US$2 per day with a Population pyramid in 2005. Many of
large part of the population relying on subsidised goods.[11] those 30 and younger are educated
citizens who are having difficulties
According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the finding work.
basic problem Egypt has is unemployment driven by a demographic
youth bulge: with the number of new people entering the job force at
about 4 percent a year, unemployment in Egypt is almost 10 times as high for college graduates as it is for
people who have gone through elementary school, particularly educated urban youth, who are precisely the
people currently seen out in the streets.[51]

Reform, growth, and poverty

Further information: Economy of Egypt

Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former

President Gamal Abdel Nasser but opened up considerably under
former President Anwar Sadat and Mubarak. The Mubarak-led
government from 2004 to 2008 aggressively pursued economic
reforms to attract foreign investment and facilitate GDP growth, but
postponed further economic reforms because of global economic A poor neighbourhood in Cairo.
turmoil. The international economic downturn slowed Egypt's GDP
growth to 4.5 percent in 2009. In 2010, analysts assessed the government of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif

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would need to restart economic reforms to attract foreign investment, boost growth, and improve economic
conditions for the broader population. Despite high levels of national economic growth over the past few
years, living conditions for the average Egyptian remained poor.[52]

Corruption
Further information: Crime in Egypt

Political corruption in Mubarak administration's Ministry of Interior has risen dramatically due to the
increased power over the institutional system necessary to prolong the presidency.[53] The rise to power of
powerful business men in the NDP in the government and the People's Assembly led to massive waves of
anger during the years of Prime Ministers Ahmed Nazif's government. An example of that is Ahmed Ezz's
monopolizing the steel industry in Egypt by holding more than 60 percent of the market share.[54] Aladdin
Elaasar, an Egyptian biographer and an American professor, estimates that the Mubarak family is worth from
$50 to $70 billion.[55][56]

The wealth of Ahmed Ezz, the former NDP Organisation Secretary, is estimated to be 18 billion Egyptian
pounds;[57] The wealth of former Housing Minister Ahmed al-Maghraby is estimated to be more than 11
billion Egyptian pounds;[57] The wealth of former Minister of Tourism Zuhair Garrana is estimated to be 13
billion Egyptian pounds;[57] The wealth of former Minister of Trade and Industry, Rashid Mohamed Rashid,
is estimated to be 12 billion Egyptian pounds;[57] and the wealth of former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly is
estimated to be 8 billion Egyptian pounds.[57]

The perceptions of corruption and its beneficiaries being limited to businessmen with ties to the National
Democratic Party have created a picture "where wealth fuels political power and political power buys
wealth."[58]

During the Egyptian parliamentary election, 2010, opposition groups complained of harassment and fraud
perpetrated by the government. As such opposition and civil society activists have called for changes to a
number of legal and constitutional provisions which affect elections.

In 2010, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index report assessed Egypt with a CPI score
of 3.1, based on perceptions of the degree of corruption from business people and country analysts (with 10
being clean and 0 being totally corrupt).[59]

Lead-up to the protests

In background preparation for a possible overthrow of Mubarak, opposition groups had studied the work of
Gene Sharp on non-violent revolution, including working with leaders of Otpor!, the student-led Serbian
uprising in 2000. Copies of Sharp's list of 198 non-violent "weapons", translated into Arabic and not always
attributed to him, were circulating in Tahrir Square during its occupation.[60][61]

Tunisian revolution

Main article: 2010–2011 Tunisian revolution

Further information: 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests

After the ousting of Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali due to mass protests, many analysts,
including former European Commission President Romano Prodi, saw Egypt as the next country where such
a revolution might occur.[62] The Washington Post comments on this saying "The "Jasmine Revolution," [...]
should serve as a stark warning to Arab leaders - beginning with Egypt's 83-year-old Hosni Mubarak - that

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their refusal to allow more economic and political opportunity is dangerous and untenable."[63] However,
others argued on the contrary citing little aspiration of the Egyptian people, low educational levels and a
strong government with the support of the military.[64] The BBC said "The simple fact is that most Egyptians
do not see any way that they can change their country or their lives through political action, be it voting,
activism, or going out on the streets to demonstrate." [65]

Self-immolation

On 17 January due to rising discontent with the country's state and the poor living conditions, and following
the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, a man set himself ablaze in front of the Egyptian
parliament;[66] about five more attempts of self-immolation followed suit.[64]

National Police Day protests

Opposition groups were planning a day of revolt for 25 January

coinciding with the National Police Day. The goal for the protests was
to protest against abuses by the police in front of the ministry of
interior.[67] These demands expanded to be the resignation of the
minister of Interior, the restoration of a fair minimum wage, the end
of Emergency Law and the limitation of the presidency to two terms.
A major supporter for the protests was the April 6 Youth Movement,
which distributed 20,000 leaflets saying "I will protest on 25 January
to get my rights". One of the protestors holding the
Egyptian flag during the protests that
Security forces however deemed the protests as "illegal", not having started on 25 January 2011 in Egypt
the required permissions to proceed and would therefore deal with it that demanded the removal of the
strictly.[68] Many political movements, opposition parties and public regime and for Mubarak to step down
figures chose to support the day of revolt including Youth for Justice
and Freedom, the Popular Democratic Movement for Change and the
National Association for Change, however, its leader Mohamed El Baradei did not support the protests
saying that he "would like to use the means available from within the system to effect change".[69] The Ghad,
Karama, Wafd and Democratic Front parties also lend their support to the protests. Public figures including
novelist Alaa Al Aswany, writer Belal Fadl and actors Amr Waked and Khaled Aboul Naga announced they
would also participate, while the facebook group set for the event attracted 80,000 attendees. However, the
Tagammu Party and the Muslim brotherhood stated they would not participate. The Coptic church also urged
Christians not to participate in the protests.[70]

Protests
Timeline

Main article: Timeline of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution

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The "Day of Revolt" on 25 January

By 30 January, imams from the

Al-Azhar University joined the
protests. Coptic priests and Muslim
clerics were seen protesting together in
unity.

Over 1 Million in Tahrir Square on

February 9, 2011

Over 2 millions protesting in Tahrir

Square on February 10, 2011 after
Hosni Mubarak's speech saying that
they'll go to his palace the day after
was announced

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25 January 2011: The "Day of Revolt", nationwide protests against

the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak began. Tens of
thousands of protestors gathered in Cairo, with thousands more in
cities throughout Egypt. The protests were generally non-violent, but
there were reports of some casualties among both civilians and police.

28 January 2011: The “Friday of Rage” protests began. Shortly after

Friday prayers, hundreds of thousands gathered in Cairo and other
Egyptian cities. Opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei traveled to Celebrations in Tahrir Square when
Cairo to participate. Some looting was reported. Prisons were opened Hosni Mubarak's resignation was
and burned down forcing inmates to escape after orders from the announced
corrupt Minister of Interior Habib El Adly in what was believed to be
a fear tactic to horrify the protesters. Police forces withdrew from the
streets completely. The Egyptian government ordered the military to assist the police. International fears of
violence grew, but no major casualties were reported. President Husni Mubarak addressed the nation for the
first time after 4 days of ongoing protests and asked the government to hand in it's resignation.

29 January 2011: Protests continued as military presence in Cairo increased. A curfew was instituted, but
protests continued throughout the night. The military showed restraint, reportedly refusing to obey orders to
use live ammunition; there were no reports of major casualties.

1 February 2011: After continued nationwide unrest, Mubarak addressed the people and offered several
concessions. In addition to proclaiming he would not run for another term in the September 2011 elections,
he promised political reforms. He said that he would stay in office to ensure a peaceful transition.
Pro-Mubarak and anti-Mubarak groups began to clash in small but violent interactions throughout the night.

2 February 2011: "The Scene of Camels". Several Camels and Horses were unleashed into Tahrir Square
following orders believed to be given by the corrupt Minister of Interior Habib El Adly, resulting in hundreds
of casualties. Violence escalated as waves of Mubarak supporters met anti-government protestors. The
military limited the violence, constantly separating anti-Mubarak and pro-Mubarak groups. President
Mubarak, in interviews with various news agencies, refused to step down. Violence toward international
journalists and news agencies escalated; speculation grew that Mubarak was actively increasing instability as
a way to step in and end the protests.

5 February 2011: Protests in Cairo and throughout the nation continued. Egyptian Christians held Sunday
Mass in Tahrir Square, protected by a ring of Muslims. Negotiations began between Egyptian Vice President
Omar Suleiman and opposition representatives. The Egyptian army increased its security role, maintaining
order and protecting Egypt’s museums. Suleiman offered political and constitutional reforms while other
members of the Mubarak regime accuses nations, including the US, of interfering in Egypt’s affairs.

10 February 2011: Mubarak formally addressed Egypt amid reports of a possible military coup, but instead
of his expected resignation, he stated his powers would transfer to Vice President Suleiman, and he would
remain in Egypt as its head of state. Anger and disappointment spread through crowds in Cairo, and
demonstrations began to escalate in number and intensity throughout Egypt.

11 February 2011: The "Friday of Departure", massive protests in response to Mubarak’s speech
continued in many Egyptian cities. At 6:00 p.m. local time, Suleiman announced Mubarak's resignation and
that the Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces would assume leadership of the country.

13 February 2011: The Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces dissolved Egypt’s parliament and
suspended the Constitution. The council also declared that it would hold power for six months or until
elections could be held, whichever came first. ElBaradei urged the council to provide more details to the
Egyptian people regarding its plans. Major protests subsided but uncertainty remained, and many pledged to
keep returning to Tahrir square until all demands had been met.

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Cities and regions

Cairo

Cairo has been at the epicentre of much of the crisis. The largest
protests were held in downtown Tahrir Square, which was considered
the "protest movement’s beating heart and most effective
symbol."[71] On the first three days of the protests, there were clashes
between the central security police and protesters and as of 28
January, police forces withdrew from all of Cairo. Citizens then
formed neighbourhood watch groups to keep the order as widespread Protesters in Alexandria during
looting was reported. Traffic police were reintroduced to Cairo on the Egyptian revolution of 2011
morning of 31 January.[72] An estimated 2 million people protested at
Tahrir square.[73]

Alexandria

Alexandria, the home of Khaled Saeed, had major protests and

clashes against the police. Demonstrations continued and one on 3
February was reported to include 750,000 people.[citation needed]There
were few confrontations as not many Mubarak supporters were
around, except in occasional motorized convoys escorted by police.
The breakdown of law and order, including the general absence of Two Egyptian divers in Hurgada
police on the streets, continued through to at least the evening of 3 holding a banner underwater saying
February, including the looting and burning of one the country's "Leave before the oxygen runs out"
largest shopping centres.[citation needed] Alexandria protests were
notable for the presence of Christians and Muslims jointly taking part
in the events following the church bombing on 1 January.

Mansoura

In the northern city of Mansoura there were protests against the

Mubarak regime every day from 25 January onwards. One protest on
1 February was estimated at one million people,[citation needed] while
on 3 February, 70,000 people were reported on the streets.
[citation needed]
Protesters removing portraits of
Siwa Ex-president Mubarak in Sohag City in
upper Egypt
The remote city of Siwa has thus far been reported as relatively
calm.[74] Local sheikhs, who were reportedly in control of the
community, put the community under lockdown after a nearby town was "torched."[75]

Suez

The city of Suez has seen the most violence of the protests thus far. Eyewitness reports have suggested that
the death toll there may be higher, although confirmation has been difficult due to a ban on media coverage
in the area.[76] Some online activists have referred to Suez as Egypt's Sidi Bouzid, the Tunisian city where
protests started.[77] A labor strike was held on 8 February.[78] Large protests took place on 11 February.[79]

Tanta

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets from the first day (Jan. 25th) and most of the days after
until Feb. 11th. It exceeded a hundred thousand many times. Some hospitals reported casualties during the

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clashes of Friday Jan. 28th.

Beni Suef

City of Beni Suef have seen repeated protests in front of the City Hall On el Kourneish, in front of Omar abd
el Aziz Mosque, and in El Zerayeen Square, on most days of the protests and demonstrations. 12 protesters
have been killed when Police Opened fire at Mass groups protesting in front of the Police Station in Beba,
South Beni suef. Many others got injured. Thugs and outlaws have robbed many Governmental garages and
burned down several Governmental buildings.

Luxor

There were also protests in Luxor.[80]

Sinai Peninsula

Bedouins in the Sinai Peninsula fought the security forces for several weeks.[81]

Sharm-El-Sheikh

No protests or civil unrest took place in Sharm-El-Sheikh on 31 January.[82] All was still calm as Hosni
Mubarak and his family left on 11 February.[79]

Deirout

Police opened fire on protesters in the Deirout near the southern suburbs of Cairo and Asyut, on 11
February.[79]

Shebin el-Kom

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Shebin el-Kom on 11 February.[79]

El-Arish

Thousands protested in the city of El-Arish, in the Sinai Peninsula on 11 February.[79]

Sohag

Large protests took place in the southern city of Sohag on 11 February.[79]

Minya

Large protests took place in the southern city of Minya on 11 February.[79]

Ismailia

Nearly 100,000 people protested in and about the local government headquarters in Ismailia on 11
February.[79]

Kafr El Sheikh

Large protests took place on 28 January and 4 February all over Kafr el-Sheikh.[citation needed]

Deaths

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Leading up to the protests, at least six cases of self-immolation were

reported, including a man arrested while trying to set himself on fire
in downtown Cairo.[83] These cases were inspired by, and began
exactly one month after, the acts of self-immolation in Tunisia
triggering the 2010–2011 Tunisian uprising. Six instances have been
reported, including acts by Abdou Abdel-Moneim Jaafar,[84]
Mohammed Farouk Hassan,[85] Mohammed Ashour Sorour,[86] and
Ahmed Hashim al-Sayyed who later died from his injuries.[87] A memorial in Tahrir Square made by
the demonstrators in honor of those
As of 30 January, Al Jazeera reported as many as 150 deaths in the who died during the protests, regarded
protests.[88] The Sun reported that the dead could include at least 10 as shuhada' ‫" – شھداء‬martyrs" – in
policemen, 3 of whom were killed in Rafah by "an enraged mob".[89] Egyptian parlance. The captions in the
pictures attribute most of the deaths to
By 29 January, 2,000 people were known to be injured.[90] The same police violence.
day, an employee of the Azerbaijani embassy in Egypt was killed
while returning home from work in Cairo;[91] the next day Azerbaijan
sent a plane to evacuate citizens[92] and opened a criminal investigation into the death.[93]

Funerals for the dead on the "Friday of Anger" were held on 30 January. Hundreds of mourners gathered for
the funerals calling for Mubarak's removal.[94] By 1 February, the protests had left at least 125 people
dead,[95] although Human Rights Watch said that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
claimed that as many as 300 people may have died in the unrest. This unconfirmed tally included 80 Human
Rights Watch-verified deaths at two Cairo hospitals, 36 in Alexandria, and 13 in the port city of Suez,
amongst others;[96][97][98] over 3,000 people were also reported as injured.[96][97][98]

Death toll of 2011 Egyptian revolution

The mostly confirmed
Location of deaths death toll References
as of 11 February 2011
Alexandria 52 [7][99][100][100][96][101]

Suez 18 [7][96][101][99]

Asyut 3 [99]

El-Arish 1 [79]

Beni Suef 17 [102]

Luxor 1 [103]

Atfih 1 [103]

Cairo 232 [7][103][104][96][105][101][99][106][7]

Kharga Oasis 1 [103]

Sheikh Zoweid, North Sinai 1 [107]

Abu Simbel 1 [103]

Rafah 3 [100]

Mansoura 2 [108]

Deaths in other places hit by protests 45 [107][7][7][109][105]

Total 384 [110][111][112][105][7][113]

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International reactions
Main article: International reactions to the Egyptian Revolution of 2011

International reactions have varied with most Western states saying peaceful protests should continue but
also expressing concern for the stability of the country and the region. Many states in the region expressed
concern and supported Mubarak, while others like Tunisia and Iran supported the protests. Israel was most
cautious for change, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking his government ministers to
maintain silence and urging Israel's US and European allies to curb their criticism of President Mubarak;
[114][115]
however, an Arab-Israeli parliamentarian supported the protests. There were also numerous
solidarity protests for the anti-government protesters around the world.

NGOs also expressed concern about the protests and the ensuing heavy-handed state response. Many
countries also issued travel warnings or began evacuating their citizens. Even multinational corporations
began evacuating their expatriate workers.[116]

Post-ousting

Amid the growing concerns for the country, on 21 February, David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, became the first world leader to visit Egypt since Mubarak was ousted as the president 10 days
previously. A news blackout was lifted as the prime minister landed in Cairo for a brief five-hour stopover
hastily added at the start of a planned tour of the Middle East.[117]

Domestic responses
Main article: Domestic responses to the Egyptian Revolution of 2011

On 29 January, Mubarak indicated he would be changing the

government because despite a "point of no return" being crossed,
national stability and law and order must prevail, that he had
requested the government, formed only months ago, to step down,
and that a new government would be formed.[118][119] He then
appointed Omar Suleiman, head of Egyptian Intelligence, as vice
president and Ahmed Shafik as prime minister.[120] On 1 February, he
spoke again saying he would stay in office until the next election in
September 2011 and then leave without standing as a candidate. He
also promised to make political reforms. "Nero burned Rome; Mubarak is
burning Egypt"
Various opposition groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood,
reiterated demands for Mubarak's resignation. The MB also said, after protests turned violent, that it was time
for the military to intervene.[121] Mohammed ElBaradei, who said he was ready to lead a transitional
government,[122] was also the consensus candidate by a unified opposition including: the April 6 Youth
Movement, We Are All Khaled Said Movement, National Association for Change, 25 January Movement,
Kefaya and the Muslim Brotherhood.[123] ElBaradei formed a "steering committee".[124] On 5 February, a
"national dialogue" was started between the government and opposition groups to work out a transitional
period before democratic elections.

Many of Al-Azhar Imams joined the protesters on 30 January all over the country.[125] Christian leaders
asked their congregations to stay away from protests, though a number of young Christian activists joined the
protests led by Wafd Party member Raymond Lakah.[126]

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The Egyptian state cracked down on the media, and shut down internet access,[127] a primary means of
communication for the opposition. Journalists were also harassed by the regime's supporters, eliciting
condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists, European countries and the United States.

Egyptian and foreign equity and commodity markets also reacted negatively to the increasing instability.

On 13 February, an article in the state-controlled newspaper, Al-Ahram, questioned the inclinations of

Google Inc. and its executive and activist, Wael Ghonim, due to certain translation errors when using the
Google Translate engine that were perceived as dubious by some.[128] One reported error was translating any
fictitious phrase along the lines of "... occupies Israel" in Arabic into "Israel occupies..." in English. Google
Translate is a statistical translation engine that uses web search statistics rather than grammatical rules to
yield a probable translation.[129] Since "...occupies Israel" is a low-probability query owing to the fact that
Israel has not been occupied and "Israel occupies..." is a higher-probability query on the other hand, the
limitation of statistical translation results in the inaccurate translation.

Reform process

See also: Egyptian constitutional review committee of 2011

The protests initiated a process of social and political reform by

articulating a series of demands. Reform began with President
Mubarak's announcements that concessions would be made towards
reform and was highlighted by his resignation 18 days after the
protests started. The list of demands for broader changes in Egyptian
society and governance, articulated by protesters and activists,
includes the following:

A sign with the protesters' omnibus

demands

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Demands of the protestors[130]

Demand Status Date
1. Resignation of president Mohammed Hosni Mubarak met 11 February
2. Canceling the Emergency Law announced[131] date not set
under discussions
[Overthrown President
Mubarak announced
3. Dismantling the secret police before his resignation
that it would be
canceled]
[31][citation needed]
4. Announcement by (Vice-President) Omar Suleiman that he
will not run in the next presidential elections met[132] 3 February

5. Dissolving the Parliament and Shura Council met 13 February

6. Releasing all prisoners taken since 25 January announced[citation needed] 20 February
7. Ending the curfew relaxed 11 February
8. Dismantling the university guards system
9. Investigation of officials responsible for violences against
protesters and for the organised thuggery
10. Firing minister of information Anas el-Fiqqi and stopping
met 12 February
propaganda from government owned media
11. Reimbursing shop owners for their losses during the curfew
12. Announcing the demands above on government television 11–18
and radio met[citation needed] February

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On 17 February, an Egyptian prosecutor ordered the detention of three ex-ministers, former Interior Minister
Habib el-Adli, former Tourism Minister Zuhair Garana and former Housing Minister Ahmed el-Maghrabi, and
a prominent businessman, steel magnate Ahmed Ezz, pending trial on suspicion of wasting public funds. The
public prosecutor also froze the accounts of Adli and his family members on accusations that over 4 million
Egyptian pounds ($680,000) were transferred to his personal account by a head of a contractor company,
while calling on the foreign minister to contact European countries and ask them to freeze the accounts of the
defendants.[133]

Meanwhile, the United States announced on the same day that it was giving Egypt $150 million in crucial
economic assistance to help the key US ally transition towards democracy following the overthrow of long
time president Mubarak. US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said that William Burns, the undersecretary of
state for political affairs, and David Lipton, a senior White House adviser on international economics, would
travel to Egypt the following week.[133]

On 19 February, a moderate Islamic party, named (Arabic: ‫ )حزب الوسط الجديد‬Al-Wasat Al-Jadid, or the New
Center Party, which was outlawed for 15 years was granted official recognition by an Egyptian court. The
party was founded in 1996 by activists who split off from the Muslim Brotherhood and sought to create a
tolerant Islamic movement with liberal tendencies, but its attempts to register as an official party were
rejected four times since then. On the same day, Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said 222 political prisoners
would be released. He said only a few were detained during the popular uprising and put the number of
remaining political prisoners at 487, but did not say when they would be released.[134]

On 20 February, Dr. Yehia El Gamal(ar) a well known activist and law professor, announced (on TV
channels) accepting a vice prime minister position at a new government that will be announced on 21–22
February. He announced removing many of the previous government members to palliate the situation.

On 21 February, the Muslim Brotherhood announced it would form a political party for the upcoming
parliamentary election, called the Freedom and Justice Party, which was to be led by Dr. Saad Ketatni.
[135][136][137]
Its spokesperson noted that "when we talk about the slogans of the revolution - freedom, social
justice, equality - all of these are in the Sharia (Islamic law)."[138]

Analysis
Women's role

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Egyptian women were front and center, in news clips and on

Facebook forums, and even in the leadership during the Egyptian
revolution[140]. In Tahrir Square, women volunteers, some with their
kids, worked to support the protests. Many commentators credited the
great numbers of women and children with the remarkable overall
peacefulness of the protesters in the face of grave provocations[140].
Other citizen reporters in Tahrir Square noted that many women were
involved in the protests as the protests were demographically
inclusive[140]. Many wore headscarves and other signs of religious
conservatism, while others reveled in the freedom to kiss a friend or
smoke a cigarette in public[140]. Egyptian women also organized,
strategized, and reported the events; Bloggers such as Leil Zahra
Mortada took grave risks to keep the world informed daily of the
scene in Tahrir Square and elsewhere[140].

Regional instability Political activist Gigi Ibrahim[139]

with her camera and a flower
Main article: 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests

The Egyptian Revolution, along with the events in Tunisia, have

sparked a wave of major uprisings. demonstrations and protests have
spread across the Middle East and North Africa. To date Algeria,
Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Morocco and Yemen have all seen
major protests, and minor incidents have occurred in Iraq, Kuwait,
Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Syria.

The military's role

Main article: Military of Egypt Female Protesters holding up a sign

The Egyptian Armed Forces enjoy a better reputation with the public
than the police do, the former perceived as a professional body protecting the country, the latter accused of
systemic corruption and illegitimate violence. All four Egyptian presidents since the 1950s have come from
the military into power. Key Egyptian military personnel include the defense minister Mohamed Hussein
Tantawi and General Sami Hafez Enan, chief of staff of the armed forces.[141][142] The Egyptian military
totals around 468,500 well-armed active personnel, plus a reserve of 479,000.[143]

Online activism

We Are All Khaled Saeed is a Facebook group which formed in the aftermath of Saeed's beating and death.
The group attracted hundreds of thousands of members worldwide and played a prominent role in spreading
and bringing attention to the growing discontent. As the protests began, Google executive Wael Ghonim
revealed that he was the person behind the account.[144] Another potent viral online contribution was made
by Asmaa Mahfouz, a female activist who posted a video in which she challenged people to publicly
protest.[145] Previously, Facebook had suspended the group because some of its administrators were using
pseudonyms, a violation of the company's 'Terms of Service.' [146]

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Egypt

Foreign governments in the West including the US have regarded Mubarak as an important ally and supporter

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in the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.[31] After wars with Israel in 1967 and '73, Egypt signed a peace
treaty in 1979, provoking controversy in the Arab world. As provisioned in the 1978 Camp David Accords,
which led to the peace treaty, both Israel and Egypt receive billions of dollars in aid annually from the United
States, with Egypt receiving over US$1.3 billion of military aid each year in addition to economic and
development assistance.[147] Many Egyptian youth feel ignored by Mubarak on the grounds that he is not
looking out for their best interests and that he rather serves the interests of the West.[148] The cooperation of
the Egyptian regime in enforcing the blockade of the Gaza Strip was also deeply unpopular amongst the
general Egyptian public.[149]

See also
Freedom in the World
List of freedom indices
Democracy in the Middle East
2010–2011 Arab world protests
Egyptian Revolution of 1919
List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
2007–2008 world food price crisis

References
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