Banks, financial markets to remain shut as lawlessness reigns.
President Hosni Mubarak, clinging to power despite unprecedented demands for an end to his 30-year rule, met with the powerful military today,which is widely seen as holding the key to Egypt’s future.
Mubarak held talks with Vice President Omar Suleiman, whose appointment yesterday has possibly set the scene for a transition in power, Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Chief of Staff Sami al-Anan and other senior commanders.
An earthquake of unrest was shaking Mubarak’s authoritarian grip on power and the high command’s support was vital, as other pillars of his ruling apparatus crumble, analysts said.
Egyptians faced lawlessness on their streets today with security forces and ordinary people trying to stop looters after five days of popular protest.
Through the night, Cairo residents armed with clubs, chains and knives formed vigilante groups to guard neighbourhoods from marauders after the unpopular police force withdrew following clashes with protesters that left more than 100 dead.
The capital’s streets were mostly deserted, with the army guarding the Interior Ministry, and citizens putting their trust in the military, hoping they would restore order but not open fire to keep key US ally Mubarak, 82, in power.
Amidst a heavy military presence, up to 4,000 people gathered in Tahrir Square, which has become a rallying point to express anger at poverty, repression and corruption in the Arab world’s most populous nation.
"Hosni Mubarak, Omar Suleiman, both of you are agents of the Americans," shouted protesters, referring to the appointment of intelligence chief Suleiman as vice president. It was the position Mubarak held before he become president and many saw the appointment as ending his son Gamal’s long-predicted ambitions to take over.
Meanwhile, fighter jets loomed over the Cairo skyline as the government tried to show the armed forces were in control of the situation.
Sunday is normally a working day in Egypt, but banks and financial markets were shut. The bourse and the central bank said they would stay closed on Monday.
