Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014)

Before Mubarak's resignation

25 January – Day of Revolt

Protesters marching to Tahrir Square, in Downtown Cairo, where the main protests were being held

On 25 January 2011, known as the "Day of Revolt" (Arabic: يوم الغضب yawm al-ġaḍab, Egyptian Arabic: [ˈjoːm elˈɣɑdɑb]) or the "Day of Anger", protests took place in cities across Egypt, including Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismaïlia. The day was selected as such by the 6 April Youth Movement, We Are All Khaled Said Movement, National Association for Change, 25 January Movement and Kefaya to coincide with National Police Day. Thousands protested in Cairo, with 45,000 occupying Tahrir Square (Liberation Square), 20,000 in various locations across Alexandria, 200 demonstrators in the southern city of Aswan, 2,000 in the eastern city of Ismaïlia, and about 3,000 in the northern city of El-Mahalla El-Kubra.

Paramilitary riot police of the Central Security Forces; 20,000 to 30,000 police were deployed in central Cairo.

Cairo protesters had gathered in the morning in front of the High Court in the centre of Cairo. The demonstration was larger than expected and able to break the security cordon and head to Tahrir Square. Police used tear gas and water cannons against the protesters, who in turn threw stones at police, eventually forcing them to retreat. Deadly clashes broke out during the protests. A policeman was reported to have died in Cairo, while in Suez two protesters were killed. It was reported that many police had also been restrained in their use of violence.

26 January

On 26 January riots continued, with protesters numbering in the thousands, although no accurate estimate has yet been made. There was increased use of violence from both protesters and the police, with one protester and one police official killed in Cairo. Suez experienced a dramatic uprising; many protesters were fired upon with live ammunition, and both protesters and police were beaten. Protesters in Suez also managed to set fire to several government buildings, including the police station.

27 January

A demonstration in Cairo. The sign has an open source caricature by Carlos Latuff which features shoeing.

Protests were not as large on 27 January as preparations were made for planned large-scale events on the following day (Friday). The Muslim Brotherhood declared full support for the protests, and members planned to take part during Friday's demonstrations. Reformer and leader of the National Association for Change Mohamed ElBaradei returned on that day at Cairo International Airport to join the planned protests on the next day.

Later in the day a protester of Bedouin descent was shot dead by police in the town of Sheikh Zoweid in the North Sinai region, bringing the death toll to seven. In Suez, the uprising continued and violence increased as more buildings were set on fire, including police posts. The population of Suez and the Sinai region armed themselves with guns leading to violent revolts by protesters.

“The people have broken the barrier of fear. There is no going back.”

Mohammed El Baradei

Hundreds of people were arrested at the various protests across Egypt. More than 120 people were arrested in Asyut, most of whom were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and about another 600 people were arrested in Cairo, including 8 Egyptian journalists protesting against the government's reported restrictions on domestic and Middle Eastern affairs.

28 January – Friday of Anger

External videos
A large car runs over protesters in Cairo on YouTube
A police car runs over protesters in Cairo) on YouTube
Egyptian protester shot dead in Alexandria on YouTube
Raw Video: Man Shot in Egypt Protest on YouTube

Thousands filled the streets across Egypt on Friday 28 January, called by some the "Friday of Anger" (Arabic: جمعة الغضب ǧumʿat al-ġaḍab Egyptian Arabic: [ˈgomʕet elˈɣɑdɑb]) and by others as the "Day of Rage". Shortly before 1:00, hours ahead of the expected massive anti-government protests, the Egyptian government shut down internet services, although some people were still able to communicate using a text-to-speech telephone service set up by Google and Twitter. Text messaging and mobile phone services also appeared to be blocked. According to Vodafone, all mobile phone operators in Egypt were instructed to suspend services in selected areas. Under Egyptian legislation the authorities have the right to issue such an order and the operators are obliged to comply.

The up-scale Mohandeseen district in Giza during the Friday of Anger. Violent clashes occurred here between the protesters and the security forces which occupied the bridge on the left, involving stone-throwing, Molotov cocktails, rubber bullets and tear gas grenades.

Burned police vehicle during the night of 28 Jan

Shortly after Friday prayers, tens of thousands of Egyptians began the protests, and within hours the number rose to the hundreds of thousands. Potential presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei traveled from Giza, where he had been leading protests, to Cairo, where he was arrested at an anti-government rally and placed under house arrest, although ElBaradei told Al Jazeera that he was unaware of his house arrest.

An Al Jazeera report on the protests (in English)

Throughout the day, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons into crowds during violent clashes between authorities and anti-government protesters in Cairo, Alexandria, and throughout Egypt. Thousands in Suez stormed and took control of a police station, freed all of the protesters held under arrest there and then torched up a nearby smaller local police post. In Port Said tens of thousands of protesters gathered and multiple government buildings were set ablaze. In Suez, police shot and killed at least one man taking part in the protests. The government issued a 18:00 to 7:00 the next day curfew, but protesters ignored it and were met by police. In the evening, one of the National Democratic Party (NDP) headquarters buildings in Cairo; was set on fire, and the culprit is still unknown. While protesters paused for evening prayers, police continued firing tear gas.

The Egyptian government deployed military in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez to assist the police. Al Jazeera reported that in Suez the military wanted to avoid an open armed confrontation with protesters. The same was reported in Alexandria.

Protestors gathered in front of the l-Istiqama Mosque in Giza. Rebels and riot police fought in parts of Giza, including at the mosque.

A delegation led by the chief of staff of Egypt's armed forces, Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Enan, was in Washington, D.C., when the visit was truncated due to the protests. The sessions, an annual country-to-country military coordination, were being led for the U.S. by Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Alexander Vershbow. A meeting with Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other talks had been planned to extend to 2 February. However, in light of events in Egypt, the delegation left Washington to return home. Before their departure Friday night, Vershbow urged the two dozen representatives of the largely American-funded Egyptian military "to exercise 'restraint'".

Al Jazeera reported an Associated Press claim that an elite counterterrorism force that had been deployed at strategic points around Cairo, and that Egypt's interior ministry was warning of "decisive measures". The secretary-general of the ruling National Democratic Party, Safwat Sherif, held a press conference stating, "We hope that tomorrow's Friday prayers and its rituals happen in a quiet way that upholds the value of such rituals ... and that no one jeopardises the safety of citizens or subjects them to something they do not want."

The main headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party aflame during Friday of Anger in Cairo

Amid reports of looting of government buildings, concerns were raised about the safety of the antiquities of the famous Egyptian Museum, near the epicenter of the protests in Cairo. Egyptian state TV announced in the evening that army commandos had secured the museum. Protesters joined soldiers in protecting the Egyptian Museum, situated beside the burning ruling party headquarters. Looters managed to enter during the night from the roof to damage a number of small artifacts, and it was initially reported that they had ripped the heads off two mummies, but subsequent reports claimed that Egypt's top archaeologist had mistaken skulls from other skeletons, and that the mummies were intact.

The detention of ElBaradei prompted the U.S. to review its $1.5 billion aid package for Egypt; he was later released. The day's defiance was summed up by the plethora of Tunisian national flags and anti-Mubarak graffiti that the protesters had created in the Greater Cairo region, Alexandria, Beni Suef, Mansoura and Manufiya. Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood said that twenty members of the banned group had been detained overnight, including Essam El-Erian, its main spokesman, and Mohammed Moursi, one of its leaders.

The arson and looting that took place throughout the day has been compared to the disorder that befell Cairo during the 1952 fire, also known as Black Saturday.

29 January

Demonstrators standing on an army vehicle in Tahrir Square, Cairo. The sign reads: "Leave, you tyrant. Down with Mubarak."

The night of 28/29 January was quieter in Cairo with fewer reports of looting than in previous days.

Multiple and widespread protests continued, with many protesters chanting, "Down with Mubarak". Chants of "the people and the army are one" were also heard, as the position of the army in the course of events continued to be critical but ambiguous. By 2:00 pm local time, approximately 50,000 people had gathered in Tahrir Square, 10,000 gathered in Kafr-al-Sheikh, and additional protests were held throughout Egypt. A curfew was announced by the army for Cairo, Alexandria and Suez from 4 – 6 pm. The 6:00 pm police curfew the previous day had had "almost no effect whatsoever", according to Al Jazeera English, and protesters continued to descend on Tahrir Square. Protesters also gathered at the Ministry of Interior, and three of them were killed by police when they tried to storm the building.

Protesters were described by reporters as more confident than the previous day and earlier, and even celebratory as they felt they were nearing their objective—the end of Mubarak's presidency—although they had no tangible evidence that it was coming about. An eyewitness told Al Jazeera that people of all ages, men and women were present. Despite the curfew, people were on the streets and no one was attempting to stop them. Looting was also reported, while no police were visible on Cairo's streets.

Protesters in Cairo

In Beni Suef, south of Cairo, 17 protesters were shot dead by police as they attempted to attack two police stations in the city. Eight more people were killed during protests in the city. In the Abu Zabaal prison in Cairo, eight people were killed as police clashed with inmates trying to escape. According to a Reuters tally, these deaths bring the total death toll to at least 100; however, no figures could be accurately confirmed. Inmates rioted in Cairo's Wadi Natrun prison as it was attacked by an angry mob leading to the escape of several Islamist terrorists and others. Prison overcrowding and police brutality were one of the complaints voiced by many of the protesters in urban Egypt. Emad Gad, an analyst with the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said that he has obtained information from a trustworthy source that "there have been orders from the very top to free known felons from the prisons, to arm them and to let them mingle with protesters." Two Egyptian policemen jailed following the death of anti-corruption activist Khaled Said were among the hundreds of prisoners that escaped in Cairo that day.

Tanks were reported on the streets of Suez. A police station was torched after protesters seized weapons stored inside before telling officers to get out. At first there was a presence of the Central Security Force, then army troops who were ordered into major cities to quell street fighting. In the Sinai town of Rafah a lynch mob killed three police officers.

Many tourists sites have been disrupted, with access to the Pyramids in Giza suspended. The resort town of Sharm-el Shaikh, however, has been calm. Chaos had been reported at Cairo International Airport, where thousands of stranded and frightened foreigners are attempting to be evacuated back to their home countries.

30 January

A troop carrier defaced with protester graffiti, the larger of which reads "Down with Mubarak", "No to Mubarak", "Mubarak the dictator has fallen" and "Leave, you thief!"

Overnight, thousands of protesters continued to defy the curfew and, as the night progressed, troops and armoured vehicles were deployed across Cairo to guard key places such as train stations, major government buildings and banks. The army had insufficient capacity to patrol neighbourhoods, so residents set up vigilante groups armed with guns, clubs and knives to drive off looters and robbers. A heavy army presence (though no police) was also reported in Suez. Chaos was also rampant in Suez the previous night, but as day broke the streets remained relatively quiet. As in Cairo, many residents formed vigilante groups to protect their homes and businesses in the absence of police. The military set up numerous checkpoints throughout the city. About another 30 dead bodies were taken to El Damardash Hospital in central Cairo. The figure included 2 children.

One of two Egyptian Air Force F-16s that flew over Cairo during the military's show of strength on 30 January

By 6:00 am local time, Tahrir Square was quiet, with only a few hundred people. Later in the morning, 3,000–5,000 protesters were reported as gathering there, including hundreds of state judges protesting for the first time. They, among others, have called for a new constitution and a transitional government.

Soldiers were then given orders to use live ammunition, but the army said the order would be refused since they were present to "protect the people". According to Al Jazeera Arabic, the army chief told protesters they would not be fired upon. Helicopters were monitoring the protests, and fighter jets were repeatedly flying low over Tahrir Square. After the first pass of the two Egyptian Air Force F-16s, the crowd cheered but subsequent passes triggered louder chants, laughing, and waving. The crowd did not disperse. Protesters were also reported picking up garbage in Tahrir Square, as essential services were not working and that they wanted to "keep our country clean". Food and water were offered at the scene.

Protesters in Tahrir Square. Translation reads "Go away Mubarak"

Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's Minister of Defence and Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, was seen with the protesters in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo. As of 18:30, Mohammed ElBaradei had arrived in Tahrir Square and told that crowd that "what we have begun cannot go back". He also said "You are the owners of this revolution. You are the future. Our key demand is the departure of the regime and the beginning of a new Egypt in which each Egyptian lives in virtue, freedom and dignity." An opposition leader said that talks would not be held with Mubarak but only with the army. Mubarak was holding a meeting with his military commanders at the time.

The Muslim Brotherhood, along with the April 6 Youth Movement, "We are all Khaled Said", National Association for Change, Jan 25 Movement and Kefaya (the main organizers of the protests) gave their support to Mohammed ElBaradei to act as a negotiator in the formation of a temporary national unity government. Al Jazeera reported that 34 members of the Muslim Brotherhood were released from custody as their guards abandoned their posts.

President Mubarak asked the current aviation minister and former chief of Air Staff Ahmed Shafiq, to form a new government. Shafiq, a party loyalist, had often been mentioned as a potential successor to Mubarak due to his politically reliable nature.

The Egyptian Central Bank said all banks and the stock market would remain closed on Sunday, 30 January. Police returned to the streets at about 10:30 pm except at Tahrir Square. By 10:55 local time, Al Jazeera's offices in Cairo were ordered to be closed. At the same time, all correspondents for the network had their credentials revoked.

On the night of 30 January Mubarak's Sharm el-Sheikh holiday villa was guarded by a small force of armed and loyal police who turned away all approaching vehicles. Sharm el-Sheikh had seen no deaths and only a minimal amount of trouble. A number of military aircraft were visible from the local airport’s perimeter fence, although the airport is frequently used by the armed forces for operations. It was also one of the hubs for private air travel in and around Egypt, but most light aircraft had left the airport earlier in the day.

31 January

The night of 30 January to 31 January was quieter in Cairo, with fewer reports of looting. For the fourth day in a row the curfew was violated without repercussions. Security officials had announced that the curfew would start at 3:00 pm and threatened to shoot anyone who ignored it, although eventually little or no action was taken as security and army personnel left Tahrir Square.

An Egyptian Air Force Mi-17 circling over Tahrir Square

Hundreds of thousands continued to protest in Egyptian cities, including 250,000 protesters in Cairo alone. A protester was shot dead in Abu Simbel and extra troops were also moved to guard the Suez Canal. For the first time during protests, there were pro-Mubarak protests of at least 1,000 people, mostly from the neighbourhood watch groups. Mohammed ElBaradei again joined thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square. He told the crowd, "What we have begun cannot go back", referring to the previous days of anti-government protests. The National Association for Change, an umbrella group that contains several opposition movements including the Muslim Brotherhood and pro-democracy groups, chose ElBaradei to negotiate with Mubarak.

Since police forces disappeared from Cairo, and the military took key positions there, the degree of connection between the military and the current system (government, economic circles) and its position became critical. However, senior Egyptian generals led by Tantawi held back the military, as the army as a whole stated its understanding of the legitimate rights of the "great people of Egypt", its will to not use violence against pacific protesters, and its wish for democratic transition. The army released a statement saying:

"The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people. Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody."

Reports emerged of several major prisons across the country being attacked, and law and order rapidly deteriorated across most of Egypt. Criminal violence continued in Cairo as looters burnt out the Arkadia shopping mall. Egypt Air cancelled all internal and outbound flights; an inbound Egypt Air flight from London to Cairo was diverted to Athens because of an alleged bomb threat.

Industrial strikes were also called in many cities, including Cairo. The Japanese firm Nissan had suspended production at its plant in Egypt to ensure employees' safety after anti-government protests, but the Korean owned Hyundai's plant chose to continue working.

Zahi Hawass, an internationally known archeologist, was appointed by Mubarak to the newly created cabinet post of Minister of Antiquities during the cabinet shakeup on 31 January. Hawass said in a statement published on his personal blog that "the broken objects can all be restored, and we will begin the restoration process this week". In a New York Times interview he rejected comparisons with Iraq and Afghanistan and said that antiquities were being safeguarded. Luis Ayala, the secretary-general of the Socialist International said that the NDP was expelled because:

The use of violence, with scores dead and injured, is totally incompatible with the policies and principles of any social democratic party anywhere in the world. Consequently, we consider that a party in government that does not listen, that does not move and that does not immediately initiate a process of meaningful change in these circumstances, cannot be a member of the Socialist International. We are, as of today, ceasing the membership of the NDP, however we remain determined to cooperate with all the democrats in Egypt striving to achieve an open, democratic, inclusive and secular state.

1 February – March of the Millions

File:Millionmarchtahrirsquare.jpg

Tahrir Square during the March of the Millions

Opposition leaders called for a million-strong march dubbed "March of the Millions" (literally the "March of One Million", from the Arabic مسيرة مليون masīrat milyōn) from Cairo's Tahrir Square to the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis on 1 February. Egyptian security forces fortified Mubarak's presidential palace with coils of barbed wire to ensure that the protesters can not get there.

According to the Egyptian government media, the number of the protesters in Cairo numbered in the thousands. The BBC reported the number of protesters in Tahrir Square ranged from "more than 100,000 to some 250,000 – the square's maximum capacity." Egyptian security forces stated that 500,000 people participated in the protests in Cairo alone. According to Al Jazeera, over one million protesters gathered in central Cairo by the afternoon, a number growing to around 2 million later in the day.

Demonstrators in Tahrir Square at prayer

Similar protests occurred across Egypt with hundreds of thousands protesting in Alexandria, and an estimated 250,000 protesting in Sinai and Suez marking the largest mobilisation in the then eight day old protest. Meanwhile, a virtual "March of Millions" was launched on Facebook with the goal of reaching one million voices in support of the march.

The United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay announced that there were reports that more than 300 people had died in the violence with up to 3,000 injured, although stressed that these reports remain unconfirmed. Meanwhile banks are closed, making it difficult for people to get cash to buy food; for those that have money, prices are skyrocketing as consumers flood the few open stores. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's Prime Minister urged Mubarak to meet his people's "desire for change".

Young protesters in Cairo. The middle sign reads: "Mubarak leave us and go look for someone else to gross out other than us."

In the late evening (11:00 pm local Egyptian time) President Mubarak proclaimed that he did not intend to run for another term in the next election. Mubarak said he would stay in office to ensure a peaceful transition to the next election, set for September 2011, and promised to make political reforms. He also said that he would demand that Egyptian authorities pursue "outlaws" and "investigate those who caused the security disarray." Mubarak said that peaceful protests were transformed into "unfortunate clashes, mobilised and controlled by political forces that wanted to escalate and worsen the situation". He called upon the Egyptian parliament to change the limit terms of the presidency and to change the requirements to run for president. He also accepted the legal charges against the parliament members which means a great amount of the parliament members will be changed through the legal process."

In the past, Mubarak has said he will continue to serve Egypt until his last breath. In his speech on 1 February 2011 he said: "This dear nation... is where I lived, I fought for it and defended its soil, sovereignty and interests. On its soil I will die. History will judge me like it did others.". Crowds continued protesting in Tahrir Square, demanding that the president step down. There were reports that Mubarak's proclamation came after President Barack Obama's special envoy, Frank G. Wisner, told Mubarak the U.S. saw his presidency at an end and urged him to prepare for an orderly transition to real democracy.

2 February – Camel Battle

Protesters in Cairo next to Tahrir Square

During the night of 1–2 February, Mubarak supporters and anti-Mubarak protesters clashed in Alexandria, where shots were reportedly fired into the air. Government forces and the police also fired into the crowd in an attempt to disperse the protesters. In Cairo, many protesters from the previous day had remained in Tahrir Square overnight.

In the morning, internet access had been partially restored and the night-time curfew was eased, running from 5:00 pm to 7:00 am instead of 3:00 pm to 8:00 am. By midday, the army was asking protesters to go home in order to stabilise the situation. State television then announced: "You have to evacuate Tahrir Square immediately. We've got confirmed information that violent groups are heading toward Tahrir Square carrying firebombs and seeking to burn the Square."

The NDP sent many people to show support to Hosni Mubarak. Provocateurs came riding on horses and camels armed with swords, whips, clubs, stones, rocks, and pocket knives, attacked anti-government protesters in central Cairo, including Tahrir Square in what was later known as the (Battle of Jamal or Battle of the Camel) (Arabic: موقعة الجمل). Security officials were witnessed bribing ordinary citizens into attacking protesters. Some of the Pro-Mubarak supporters were reportedly off-duty and undercover police. Al Jazeera's live reporting showed that Mubarak supporters were carrying police IDs amidst clashes and that gunfire was heard in Tahrir Square.

Molotov cocktails were also used on anti-Mubarak protesters, some landing on the grounds of the Egyptian Museum. Pro-Mubarak supporters were filmed dropping stones and firebombs from buildings to demonstrators on the ground. Five people have been reported killed and 836 people were taken to hospitals according the Health minister of Egypt. There were also clashes in Alexandria and unrest in Port Said. CNN interviewed a few anaylsts who suggested a strategy of "hired muscle" has been tried-and-tested at numerous times in the past by the Mubarak regime, suggesting it could be the same this time despite Interior Ministry denials.

Journalists were also attacked by the pro-Mubarak activists. Western media suggested the possibility of Egypt descending into civil war as violence between the two sides escalated, leaving over a thousand injured.

External videos
Scenes of clashes in Tahrir Square on YouTube
Raw Video: Dramatic New Images of Cairo Violence on YouTube
Camels & horses storm into Tahrir Square as protesters clash in Cairo on YouTube
Wednesday night intense battle on YouTube
Protesters Arrest Bus driver who had driven in to them on YouTube

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence and reiterated calls for reform, while EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also said that the violence must stop and that Mubarak needs to be more explicit in showing the people what changes would happen.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the White House condemned the violence, and the US State Department also called for restraint amidst the violence. US President Obama also said that the transition "must be meaningful, it must be peaceful and it must begin now". German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and French President Nicolas Sarkozy asserted the right to march peacefully, while Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an enhanced to democratisations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over a new government saying: "I am convinced that the forces that want to bring change and democratization in Egypt will also enhance peace between Israel and the Arab world. But we are not there yet. The struggle has not been decided...We need to do everything to make sure that peace endures."

Mubarak rejects international calls to step aside. Finance Minister Samir Radwan said the government would be "open to discussion with all shades of political opinions". The army had earlier broadcast a message on television: ...You began by going out to express your demands and you are the ones capable of restoring normal life. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, says: "I greet President Mubarak who offered dialogue and responded to the demands of the people. Going against legitimacy is forbidding. This is an invitation for chaos. We support stability. What we have now is a blind chaos leading to a civil war. I call on all parents to ask their children to stay home." A former general who was a part of the intelligence services said that Mubarak would have no qualms about "setting the whole country on fire."

Mohammed ElBaradei called on the army to intervene. He also said Mubarak should be given a "safe exit" for Friday's "Departure Day." and that "Today's violence is again an indication of a criminal regime that has lost any commonsense. When the regime tries to counter a peaceful demonstration by using thugs ... there are few words that do justice to this villainy and I think it can only hasten that regime's departure." A coalition of the opposition parties agreed to hold talks with the newly formed government. However, Mohamed ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood stressed they would not talk to any government representative, including Vice President Omar Suleiman, until Mubarak's resignation.

3 February

A baby waving the flag of Egypt in Tahrir Square

On 2–3 February, 13 people were killed and 1,200 injured, according to the Egyptian health ministry.

In Cairo, a standoff took place in front of the Egyptian Museum in the early morning hours with rocks and petrol bombs reportedly flying. Large-caliber shots were reportedly fired in the air by the army to keep opposing factions at bay. There was a heavy police presence at the museum following the standoff. Anti-government protesters were seen banging on metal railings while rocks were thrown at them.

Protests continued in Alexandria and Mansoura, where Al Jazeera suggested up to a million people marched. In Cairo, Egyptian army tanks cleared a highway overpass from which pro-Mubarak protesters had been hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails onto the anti-Mubarak protesters. On the streets below, hundreds of armed soldiers lined up between the two factions, pushing the pro-Mubarak protesters back and blocking the main hotspots in front of the Egyptian Museum and at other entrances to the square. Violence was reported to have been perpetrated by police.

With banks closed and not due to open for three more days, cash-starved Egyptians were being offered food and money to side against the anti-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square.

Shahira Amin resigned from her position as deputy head of Nile TV, citing its coverage of the protests; she spoke live to Al Jazeera and to CNN. She said: "I walked out yesterday. I can't be part of the propaganda machine; I am not going to feed the public lies." Many international journalists in Egypt to cover the protests were detained, beaten, shouted at or threatened by pro-Mubarak protesters, as were numerous Egyptian bloggers and activists including Wael Abbas. Two Al Jazeera reporters were attacked as they arrived from the airport while three others were arrested and later released.

The Prosecutor General decided to prevent former ministers and government officials Ahmed Abdel Aziz Ahmed Ezz, Mohamed Zuhair Mohamed Waheed Garana, Ahmed Alaa El Din Maghraby, Habib Ibrahim El Adly and a number of others from traveling outside the country. He also froze their bank accounts, pending the return of security and stability, and the establishment of the investigative and supervisory authorities and investigative procedures to identify and investigate criminal and administrative responsibilities in all of these cases.

"I was very unhappy about yesterday. I do not want to see Egyptians fighting each other...I don't care what people say about me. Right now I care about my country, I care about Egypt...I would never run away. I will die on this soil."

Hosni Mubarak

In an interview with ABC's Christiane Amanpour, Mubarak said that he was "fed up" with being in power but would not resign because he did not want Egypt to descend into a chaos in which the Muslim Brotherhood would be the beneficiaries. Vice President Omar Suleiman also said, in the same interview, that the Egyptian people do not have a culture of democracy and that an Islamic current is pushing young people to protest. Vice President Omar Suleiman, in an interview broadcast on state television, re-asserted that "The president will not go for another term nor any member of his family including his son. The January 25 youth was not a destructive movement, however it was a demand movement...Constitution articles 76 and 77 will be modified, other articles are subjected to change." Regarding the clashes in Tahrir Square he commented that "Everyone responsible for these clashes will be questioned...The clashes had negatively impacted what the president speech had achieved." Answering a question about the effect of the events on the Egyptian economy he commented on the tourism movement: "A million tourists had left Egypt in 9 days, imagine the lost revenue." He declared that anyone who had been arrested during the demonstrations would be released unless they had committed a crime. He finally asked the protesters to go home as all their demands had been heard. He thanked them for the efforts they had put in to move political life in Egypt forward.

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Two Egyptian divers in Hurgada holding a banner underwater saying "Leave before the oxygen runs out"

Bloomberg reported that Vodafone had been forced by the Egyptian government to send SMS text messages to its customers. The pro-Mubarak messages characterized protesters as un-loyal to the state and had called upon recipients to "confront" them. Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao reported that the general public is still being blocked from sending SMS text messages.

4 February – Friday of Departure

Tahrir Square during the "Friday of Departure"

The same organizers of the "Day of Revolt" and "Friday of Anger" called for a protest which was dubbed the "Friday of Departure". In Cairo, they planned to march to Heliopolis Palace. (Arabic: جمعة الرحيل gumʿat ar-raḥīl) They demanded Mubarak step down immediately, with 4 February their deadline for him to surrender his powers.

During the night of 3–4 February, there were tanks on the street in Cairo as many of the protesters again spent the night in Tahrir Square. Pro-government protesters were also active and small-scale clashes happened in the early hours.

A tank at the entrance to Tahrir Square

Two million Egyptians flooded Tahrir Square to participate in Friday day prayer in Tahrir Square. Egyptian Christians and others not performing Friday prayers formed a "human chain" around those praying to protect them from any potential disruptions. The day's planned events began after Friday prayers. Al Jazeera estimated the crowd size to be over a million in Tahrir Square. Mohammed ElBaradei was also in attendance. Protesters held portraits of former presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat. However, protesters did not get to the presidential palace. In Alexandria, over a million protesters turned out, making it the biggest ever protest in Alexandria. They warned that if the government used violence against protesters in Cairo, they would march to Cairo to join the protesters there.

Protest marches were also held in Giza and El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Suez, Port Said, Rafah, Ismailiya, Zagazig, al-Mahalla al-Kubra, Aswan and Asyut.

The Prosecutor General followed up travel bans and frozen bank accounts on former ministers and government officials including former Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohamed Rachid. He told Al Arabiya that "I returned from Davos to Egypt because of the current situation in Egypt. The new Prime Minister had contacted me for the same position in the new cabinet, I refused because I want fresh blood." Regarding the travel ban, he commented, "I had no idea about the accusations, I served for six and half years and I am completely ready to face any accusation. No one had informed me of this decision and I heard it from the news." He was considered a possible candidate for Prime Minister before the protests.

The New York Times and Bloomberg reported that the US administration is in talks with Egyptian officials over a proposal for President Mubarak to resign immediately, turning over power to a transitional government headed by Vice-President Omar Suleiman, because the longer Mubarak holds on to power the more "strident" protesters will become.

Ahmad Mohamed Mahmoud of Al-Ta'awun became the first journalist to die covering the protests, from gunshot wounds sustained on 28 January.

5 February

The so-called Etha'et al-thawra (broadcast of the revolution), set upon an elevated stage and used by the demonstrators in Tahrir Square to address the crowds. In the background is the American University in Cairo.

Egyptian protesters holding the Egyptian flag with one hand while showing the V sign with the other

During the night of 4–5 February, a few protesters continued to camp out in Tahrir Square, though it was largely quiet.

Despite the cold, rainy conditions, anti-government protesters continue to stand their ground at Tahrir Square. Early in the morning shots were fired as protesters said pro-Mubarak activists tried to assault the square. Troops then fired into the air to disperse them. Demonstrators later formed a human chain to prevent tanks from passing through the barricades into the anti-Mubarak enclave in Tahrir Square; a witness said scuffles broke out when an army general asked demonstrators to take down their make-shift barricades of corrugated steel and debris. As the army tightened access to Tahrir Square, the head of the army met protesters and asked them to return home so that life could return to normal. Protesters responded that "he (Mubarak) will go" and they would not. The army was also more organised and present that day than on any other day of the protest. A heavy military presence continued in central Cairo. An Interior Ministry spokesman said that "the army remains neutral and is not taking sides because if we protect one side we will be perceived as biased....our role is to prevent clashes and chaos as we separate the opposing groups." Scuffles were reported during the day in Tahrir Square and one protester was said to have died. A group of foreigners including a English protester on the 5th Swede on the 6th (his photo is further down the page). have joined the protesters in Tahrir Square, handing out flowers to the protesters in a sign of solidarity and holding up a banner in English. Five hundred protesters also arrived in Tahrir Square from Suez. There were also reports of over 10,000 people continuing to stay in Alexandria through the night.

State television announced the appointment of Hossam Badrawi (seen as a member of the liberal wing of the party) as Head of the Shura Council after Safwat El-Sherif's resignation from his position within the party. Mubarak's son Gamal also resigned as Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Policy Committee. Minister of State for Legal Affairs Mufid Shehab and Presidential Chief-of-Staff Zakaria Azmy were also dismissed from the party. Initial reports also indicated that Mubarak had resigned as head of the ruling NDP party, however this was later denied by state television and the Information Minister. Former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli and three of his leadership have been put under house arrest. There had been reports about the arrest of a number of other security leaders who are currently being held in a military prison. However, the opposition leaders continued to seek ways to remove Mubarak from power. They called on the protesters to continue at Tahrir Square every Tuesday and Friday until Mubarak "resigns and makes true the demands of the people."

Trouble hit the border city of Rafa as a grenade was tossed into a thankfully empty church and the public library was also set on fire on February 5.

6 February – Sunday of Martyrs

Muslims and Christians United for Egypt, by Carlos Latuff

The same organizers of the "Day of Revolt", "Friday of Anger", "March of the Millions" and "Friday of Departure" called for a protest in what was dubbed the "Sunday of Martyrs" (Arabic: أحد الشهداء).

During the night of 5–6 February, some protesters continued to camp out in Tahrir Square, and Alexandria had peaceful late-night protests. However, gunfire was heard in the early hours of the day in Cairo.

Copts leading the crowd in prayer in Tahrir Square

Egyptian Christians held mass in the morning in Tahrir Square to counter claims by state television that most of the anti-Mubarak protesters are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Copts wanted to show that they are a part of Egypt's popular uprising and share the same grievances as the rest of the country. Christians started their Sunday Mass in Cairo's Tahrir Square as Muslim protesters formed a ring around them to protect them during the service. Crowds in Tahrir Square chanted "We are one, we are one" ahead of prayers held at noon for those killed during the protests. Muslims later participated in Salat al-Janazah (Arabic: صلاة الجنازة) (literally: funeral prayer). Protesters in Cairo numbered in the vicinity of 1 million. In the midst of all of this, a young couple decided to get married. They planned to spend their honeymoon in Tahrir Square. There were also demonstrations continuing in Alexandria focused around the train station of El Ramel. Several thousand anti-government protesters also continued calling for the Mubarak's resignation in Mansoura.

Journalists continued to be targets of the ruling regime. Ayman Mohyeldin, an Al Jazeera English journalist, was arrested by soldiers in Tahrir Square, and held for 9 hours.

Banks temporarily reopened throughout the country amidst long queues, and people rushed to buy US dollars.

There were also negotiations between Vice President Omar Suleiman and members from the opposition, including [[{{{1}}}]] and El-Sayyid el-Badawi. The Muslim Brotherhood said it was taking part in a dialogue with the government. Suleiman agreed to a plan to set up a committee of judiciary and political figures to study constitutional reforms. Penus of the committee are due by early March. Naguib Sawiris, who was also involved in the talks, said that "big progress" had been made.

7 February

An imam of Al-Azhar University, who was wounded in his eye during the protests

Hundreds of thousands of protesters camped out in Tahrir Square, refusing to budge. A symbolic funeral procession was held for Ahmed Mahmoud in Tahrir Square. Protesters demanded that an investigation be carried out into the cause of his death.

An anti-government protester in Tahrir Square. The placard reads "Leave leave and rest assured, the chaos will leave with you, leave leave."

At least 70 people were wounded when hundreds of residents attacked the police station in Khargah to demand the ouster of a police official who had a reputation for heavy-handedness. Police then opened fire on the protesters. Authorities said that 11 people were said to have been killed across the country. The United Nations says it is more than 300. MENA reports Mubarak has set up two committees to draw up changes to the constitution.

Finance Minister Samir Radwan said 6.5 billion Egyptian pounds (US$960 million) will be allocated to cover a 15 per cent raise in pensions and salaries for government employees. This decision was made at the first Cabinet meeting since the protests began. One protester said that protests would not end soon because of increasing concessions that the regime offers. While banks have reopened, schools and the stock exchange remain closed. The Egyptian Stock Exchange said it would resume work on 13 February. Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass announced that artifacts damaged by looters would be restored over the next five days. He also said that steps were being taken to reopen Egypt's famed archaeological sites, which have been closed since pro-democracy protests started two weeks ago. Among the objects damaged was a statue of King Tutankhamun standing on a panther and a wooden sarcophagus from the New Kingdom period, dating to roughly 3,500 years ago. The museum, which is adjacent to the anti-government protests in downtown Cairo, was being guarded by the army. Former minister of the interior Habib El-Adli faced prosecution in a military court over giving orders to fire at protesters and obstructing peace in Egypt. his role in the 31 December 2010 bombing of al-Qiddissin Church in Alexandria.

State-owned Al-Ahram, declared its support for the protesters and stopped supporting the ruling regime. Der Spiegel reported an unconfirmed rumour that Mubarak was planning a "prolonged hospital stay" in Germany, a move that would, in effect, have him leave the presidency paving the way for a face saving transition of power.

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Wael Ghonim, Google's head of Marketing for the Middle East and North Africa and the founder of the Facebook page that was said to have been influential in fomenting the protests, who had been in custody since 25 January, was reported to have been released. At 20:00, he posted on Twitter that "Freedom is a blessing that deserves fighting for it." (sic) Since his release from custody and a highly emotive interview with Mona El-Shazly on DreamTV have been instrumental in warming up the mobiliation, thousands of supporters then joined a Facebook page created in his honour. "We authorise Wael Ghoneim to speak on behalf of the Egyptian revolution." He issued a statement reading:

First of all my sincere condolences for all the Egyptians that lost their lives. I am really sorry for their loss, none of us wanted this. We were not destroying things.

We all wanted peaceful protests, and our slogan was no to vandalism. Please don't turn me into a hero. I am not a hero, I am someone that was asleep for 12 days. The real heroes are the ones that took to the streets, please focus your cameras on the right people.

I am ok. (sic) God willing we will change our country, and all the filth that was taking place in the country has to stop. Together we will clean this country. — Wael Ghonim

8 February – Day of Egypt's Love

Tahrir Square during the "Day of Egypt's Love"

A sign on the Parliament building in Cairo on 9 February, reading "Closed until the fall of the regime"

The same organizers of the "Day of Revolt," "Friday of Anger," "March of the Millions" and "Friday of Departure" called for a protest in what was dubbed the "Day of Egypt's Love". (Arabic: يوم حب مصر).

In one of the largest protests yet, over a million people gathered in and around Tahrir Square to demonstrate. Some people were reported to be joining the protests for the first time, including Egyptians who returned from abroad. At least 1,000 of the protesters went to the parliament to demand Mubarak's resignation while others went to the Shura Council and the Council of Ministers. They later slept in front of those buildings, besides the usual camp in Tahrir Square.

There was also a substantial protest in Alexandria, while workers at the Suez Canal also went on strike. BBC correspondents reported that by the afternoon the protests had the highest turnout to date.

Hundreds of journalists gathered in the lobby of the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram's headquarters to protest against corruption and to call for greater freedom of the press.

In a statement made on Egyptian state television, Omar Suleiman announced the formation of two independent committees for political and constitutional reforms, both starting work immediately. One committee would carry out constitutional and legislative amendments to enable a shift of power; while the other committee would monitor the implementation of all proposed reforms. Suleiman also stressed that demonstrators would not be prosecuted and that a separate independent fact-finding committee would be established to probe the violence of 2 February. He said that wider press freedoms were under consideration and that he would produce a checklist of what was needed to hold free elections. He also said that plans were underway to organise a peaceful transfer of power. Suleiman reiterated his view that Egypt is not ready for democracy, while also warning of a possible coup d'état unless demonstrators agree to enter negotiations.

Ibrahim Yosri, a lawyer and former deputy foreign minister, drafted a petition, along with 20 other lawyers, asking the Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud to try Mubarak and his family for stealing state wealth.

According to the state-owned Middle East News Agency, Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy issued an order releasing 34 political detainees, mostly members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

9 February

Tahrir Square during the evening of 9 February

Some protesters moved from Tahrir Square to set up camp in the area outside the parliament buildings, while demanding the assembly's immediate dissolution. The demonstrators put up a sign that said: "Closed until the fall of the regime". The cabinet offices in Cairo were evacuated and officials were relocated after anti-government protesters gathered outside the building. Meanwhile, labour unions across the country, and particularly in Alexandria, Cairo and Suez, staged general strikes, demanding higher wages and better treatment from their employers. The strikers were said to number around 20,000 workers at various factories in different cities over the past 24 hours. Violent clashes were reported in Wadi al-Jadid, where police stations and NDP party building were destroyed, and several deaths and hundreds of injuries also occurred. Protesters in Port Said burnt down the governor's building in response to his reluctance to provide enough housing for the city's residents. Clashes were said to have killed three people and left hundreds more wounded in the past two days.

Egyptians living outside the country returned to join the anti-government demonstrations. An internet campaign sought to mobilise thousands of expatriates to return home and support the uprising.

The government followed up on a prisoner amnesty from the previous day, releasing 1,000 more prisoners who had served three-quarters of their sentence; 840 more were released from Sinani province. The Muslim Brotherhood continued to demand for Mubarak's resignation. The offices of the state-owned Channel 5 in Alexandria were shut down and evacuated under the order of its chief amid mounting pressure by protesters.

The government warned of a military crackdown amid ongoing protests. Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit rejected US calls to repeal the emergency law and also accused the US of trying to impose its will.

Culture Minister Gaber Asfour resigned after one week in office, citing health problems.

10 February

Banner on Tahrir Square on 12 February

The protests continued at Tahrir Square and the parliament building. 3,000 lawyers marched from the lawyers' syndicate in downtown Cairo to Abdeen Palace, one of the official residences of the president. About a thousand physicians, dressed in white coats, also arrived at Tahrir Square to applause. Strikes at national industries, including tourism and transportation, continued and even spread to Alexandria, Mahalla and Port Said. Protesters around Egypt, who were expecting Mubarak to announce his resignation, were described as euphoric, while singing and waving Egyptian flags. Fighter aircraft were heard above the Tahrir Square at 20:00 amid calls for the "destruction of the regime." In Alexandria, over a 1,000 "diehard" protesters were reported by the train station.

Prior to Mubarak's speech, contradictory reports from various media sources around the world stated that either Suleiman or Tantawi was expected to take over. The military council also met without Mubarak. The Muslim Brotherhood had feared a coup at one point. Even though celebrations had begun at Tahrir Square before the statement, the head of the NDP said that Mubarak should go for the good of the country.

Al Hurra TV reported that Mubarak was planning to hand his authorities to the Egyptian army. General Hassan al-Roueini, the military commander for the Cairo area, told protesters in Tahrir Square, "All your demands will be met today." State TV added that Mubarak will speak tonight from his Cairo palace. This came after Egypt's military proclaimed on television that they have stepped in to "safeguard the country". The Associated Press suggested a military coup may be occurring. State TV showed Defence Minster Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi meeting with two dozen top army officers. Mubarak and his vice president, Omar Suleiman were not present.

However, information minister Anas el-Fiqqi, denied that Mubarak would resign. Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said, "everything is in the hands of President Hosni Mubarak and no decisions have been taken yet." Al Arabiya television, citing "trusted sources" just minutes before Mubarak was to speak, said he would transfer his powers to his vice president.

"...I thought I would delegate powers to the vice president, according to the constitution..."

Hosni Mubarak

In his television statement, Mubarak said that he would penalise those responsible for the violence and has a clear vision on how to end the crisis, but is satisfied with what he has offered. He stated that while remaining president to the end of his term in September he would transfer his powers to vice-president Omar Suleiman. As far as the transfer of power is concerned, Mubarak said "I have seen that it is required to delegate the powers and authorities of the president to the vice president as dictated in the constitution,". The constitutional article is used to transfer powers if the president is "temporarily" unable to carry out his duties and does not mean his resignation. He also said he will request six constitutional amendments and that he would lift emergency laws when security in the country permitted it. Mubarak also said he would stay in the country and is "adamant to continue to shoulder my responsibility to protect the constitution and safeguard the interests of the people ... until power is handed over to those elected in September by the people in free and fair elections in which all the guarantees of transparencies will be secured."

Protesters watched in stunned silence or in anger to his speech, some crying or waving their shoes in the air. People in Tahrir Square chanted "Leave! Leave! Leave!" after Mubarak's speech. Vice President Omar Suleiman called on the anti-Mubarak protesters to go home. Protesters then moved to the state television and radio buildings. Soon after the television announcement, a large number of protesters began to march towards the presidential palace Mohamed ElBaradei is saying "Egypt will explode" because Mubarak refused to step down. He also called on the military to intervene.

Mubarak's top aides, family and son Gamal told him he could still ride out the turmoil. This is the reason that the televised resignation speech became a stubborn and humiliating effort to cling on to power. It was also reported that Mubarak's other son, Alaa, accused his younger brother Gamal of ruining their father's reputation.

Eyewitnesses said that the Egyptian army had pulled out troops from many locations near the presidential palace in Cairo.

11 February – Farewell Friday

A soldier joins the protesters in celebration of Mubarak's downfall.

Shock that Mubarak did not step down on Thursday 10 February resulted in a nationwide escalation of protests on 11 February, named "Farewell Friday" by the opposition movement. Massive protests continued in Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities. The presidential palace and parliament still remained surrounded by protestors and thousands of people surrounded the state TV building, keeping anyone from entering or leaving. The army issued a communiqué in support of Mubarak's attempt to remain de jure president while delegating his powers to Vice President Suleiman. Hossam Badrawi, the new secretary of the NDP, resigned from his position from the party due to his unhappiness with Hosni Mubarak's refusal to step down.

Demonstrators began to gather at new locations in Cairo. The army also surrounded the presidential palace and state television and radio buildings as protesters surrounded the Egyptian radio and television union building demanding fair media coverage from state television. The state television shifted its attitude towards the protesters and begun referring to them as Jan25 Youth Revolution, admitting mistakes had been made in the media coverage of the protests: "We [the state TV] were under an information chaos," the news anchor stated. "We had strict orders from external sides." There were also major protests in Alexandria and Mansoura. In Arish, in north Sinai, the second police station in 24 hours came under heavy arms fire – including RPGs – in which at least one protester was killed and 20 injured, with possibly more police fatalities.

Resignation of Mubarak

A protester holding a placard saying "Finally: a free country."

Vice President Omar Suleiman announced from the Presidential Palace after 18:00 Cairo local time (GMT +2) on 11 February that the presidency had been vacated and the army council would run the country:

In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country. May God help everybody.

Mubarak and his family reportedly left Cairo for the calmer Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Former Finance Minister Youssef Boutros Ghali fled Egypt to Beirut.

The people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same.

— Barack Obama, United States president

Celebration

Egyptians in Giza celebrate Mubarak's resignation.

Mubarak's resignation was followed by nationwide celebrations.

Mohammed ElBaradei told the Associated Press "This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated after decades of repression," and he expects a "beautiful" transition of power. Mohammed El Baradei said that "Egypt is free." Various media outlets pointed out that this date was also the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which occurred on 11 February 1979.

An exchange traded fund based on the Egyptian stock market listed at the NYSE Euronext increased by 5% following the announcement. Egyptian five-years credit default swaps fell by 0.25%. Al Arabiya reported that the military council said it would sack the cabinet and then dissolve parliament. Celebrations and car honking was reported in Alexandria, as well as around Cairo. The BBC reported celebratory gunfire in Gaza.

Post-Mubarak

12 February

People celebrating on the streets of Cairo

Volunteers use shovels to dispose rubble, debris, and trash.

A group of activists issued what they called the "People's Communiqué No 1", imitating the titles of communiqués from the Army. It demanded the dissolution of the cabinet Mubarak had appointed on 29 January; the suspension of the parliament elected late last year in a poll widely suspected of rigging; the creation of a transitional five-member presidential council made up of four civilians and one military person; the formation of a transitional government to prepare for an election to take place within nine months, and of a body to draft a new democratic constitution; freedom for the media and syndicates, which represent groups such as lawyers, doctors and engineers, and for the formation of political parties; and the scrapping of military and emergency courts. They announced the formation of a council to call and call off mass protests. The hours of curfew were reduced to between midnight and 6:00 Cairo local time. The Egypt Supreme Council of the Armed Forces issued a communiqué (Communiqué no. 4) in which they "promised to hand power to an elected, civilian government....[and] also pledged that Egypt would remain committed to all international treaties." Minister of Information, Anas El-Fekky has been placed under house arrest. He later resigned from his position.

Egypt's stock market regulator said the trading which was due to have started 13 February was delayed until 16 February.

In a gesture of new beginning, thousands of people began cleaning up Cairo's central Tahrir Square, which had been trashed by 18 days of rallies by hundreds of thousands of protesters and sporadic street battles.

13 February

The army stated that the Constitution was suspended. Parliament was dissolved and the military announced it would stay in power six months until presidential and parliamentary elections could be held. The High Council of Egyptian Armed Forces had selected its chief to represent the council. The caretaker Cabinet appointed by Mubarak will remain until a new Cabinet is formed after elections.

After an inventory was completed it was determined that a total of 18 artifacts from the Egyptian Museum are missing. About 70 objects were damaged.

It was reported that secretary-general of the Arab League Amr Moussa was to stand down and run in the upcoming elections.

14 February

Two representatives from the demonstrators, Wael Ghonim and Amr Salama, met with spokespersons of the military and reported that there would be a referendum on changes to the constitution within two months.

Military rulers called for an end to strikes and protests. Thousands of state employees, including police, transit workers and ambulance drivers, protested for better pay. In a statement from the ruling military council there appeared to be a final warning to labor unions before the armed forces intervenes and imposes an outright ban on gatherings and strikes. In addition, the army cleared out most of the remaining demonstrators from Cairo's Tahrir Square.

15 February

Tareq al-Bishry, a retired judge known for his pro-opposition views and for his support for a strong independent judiciary, was tasked with setting up the committee to reform the constitution. The changes would be formally announced within ten days. Adly Fayed, the director of public security at the interior ministry, and Ismail El Shaer, Cairo's security chief, have been fired over their decision to open fire on the demonstrators.