THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Egyptians held a nationwide "Victory March" on Friday to celebrate the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule one week on.
The scale of the march, which will also act as a memorial to the 365 people who died in the 18-day uprising that shook the Middle East, will be a gauge of Egyptian people power and of the nation's feeling about the transition to civilian rule.
With the Higher Military Council facing demands to free political prisoners and to lift emergency rules after dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution, all eyes will also be on how the military manages the event.
"We have agreed with the army to set up the stage for the celebrations today," said Ahmed Naguib, a member of the coordinating committee for a coalition of youth and political pro-democracy groupings.
The atmosphere was relaxed and jubilant as the military blocked off the square to traffic ahead of Friday prayers. Soldiers and organisers conducted searches of people streaming in while an army band played "Egypt the Great".
The crowd sang along, waving Egyptian flags, and chanting: "The army and the people are united." There were tanks and armoured vehicles at the 12 entrances to the sprawling square. >>> | Friday, February 18, 2011
