‘Unfinished business’: Egypt cabinet resigns as clashes rock Cairo

Ruling military council rejects resignations.

CAIRO:

Egypt’s cabinet said on Monday it had resigned as clashes raged in Tahrir Square between police and protesters demanding democratic change in the country’s biggest crisis since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.

State television quoted a military source as saying the ruling military council had rejected the resignation, but Information Minister Osama Heikal told the official Mena news agency the matter had not yet been decided.

“The government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has handed its resignation to the (ruling) Supreme Council of the Armed Forces,” cabinet spokesman Mohammed Hegazy said in a statement.

Sharaf’s resignation, if accepted, threatens to derail parliamentary elections scheduled for November 28 – the first polls since Mubarak was toppled in February.

Tens of thousands of people packed Tahrir Square on Monday night, as clashes continued for a third straight day between protesters and police in and around the square.

The US said it was “deeply concerned” by the violence which has left at least 24 people dead since Saturday.

Police and military forces on Monday sporadically used batons, tear gas and birdshot against thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square.

Renewed fighting also broke out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, state television said.

Hundreds have also been injured during the protests that have raged in Cairo, Alexandria and the canal city of Suez.

The SCAF, in a statement read out on state television, said it “regretted” what was happening and said it was committed to the elections timetable.

Protesters have been calling for the withdrawal of a government document that proposes supra-constitutional principles, which could see the military maintain some control over the country’s affairs and keep its budget from public scrutiny.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2011.