Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Calls to Arrest and Try Mubarak

The opposition to Mubarak has hardened given the brutal methods Mubarak is using to cling to power. From the UK's Guardian newspaper live blog of events, here are words from ElBaradei, the most likely person to lead Egypt out of the chaos and into democracy:
5.42pm: Jack Shenker has interviewed Mohamed ElBaradei, who has said he is not prepared to negotiate with "killers" but there is "no going back" for the pro-democracy movement. Here's a taste of what he said, there will be more in tomorrow's newpaper:
After today, people are realising just what they're dealing with. Now they're not just talking about the man responsible leaving the country, they're also talking about putting him on trial. If he has an iota of dignity left, he should leave. Mubarak has received a vote of no confidence by the entire Egyptian people.

Our determination not to hold negotiations with the government until Mubarak leaves has only been strengthened today. First of all this is not a negotiation – we the people have legitimate demands and we would like to tell the government what to do. Our freedom is not up for negotiation. Secondly how can you negotiate with a regime that is killing its people?

When I see some of the young people heading on to the streets and then corpses coming back the other way, it makes you cringe that this could be a state [sic]...I will be encouraging people campaigning for change to return to the streets, and I think Friday will be a very big day in that respect. But even if they don't, even if they are repressed and crushed, there is still no going back.
The UK's Cameron has crept toward demanding Mubarak step down. Obama is still "huddled" with his advisors and busy dithering.

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