Unrest in Egypt: President Mubarak dissolves Cabinet after night of protests
Many Egyptians defied a government curfew Friday night and faced stinging police tear gas as they marched for change.
January 28th, 2011
07:40 PM ET

Unrest in Egypt: President Mubarak dissolves Cabinet after night of protests

Read full coverage of the unrest in Egypt updated continually by CNN reporters worldwide.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Egypt's major cities on Friday, prompting the government to deploy the army to keep the peace for the first time since unrest began Tuesday. Protesters are demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year-rule. Here are the latest developments as confirmed by CNN.

[Updated 7:40 p.m. (0240 in Egypt)] A senior U.S. State Department official said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak "was not particularly forthcoming" in his speech early Saturday. "Our initial impression is that he emphasized security far more than reform," said the official, who wasn't authorized to speak on the record.

A senior Muslim Brotherhood leader echoed those sentiments in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, saying that Mubarak has to step down and the military should intervene, according to Al Jazeera.

[Updated 6:40 p.m. (0140 in Egypt)] U.S. President Barack Obama called on Egyptian authorities Friday to refrain from violence and to reverse any actions they have taken to limit access to the internet in the wake of protests there.

Obama said he spoke to the Egyptian president after he announced plans to dissolve his government and take steps with a new cabinet to implement reforms that will revitalize the economy and create more jobs.

"I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise."

[Updated 6:15 p.m. (0115 in Egypt)] President Mubarak's announcement that he was going to dissolve the government Saturday did not sit well with some protesters.

"Mubarak just blamed the government. We will continue our demonstrations until we get our full demands. We want him to leave. His time is over," said Ahmed, a 19-year-old law student demonstrator in Central Alexandria's Raml Square.

"We are one of the richest Arab countries and we want to live. Let a new government form but if we don't get what we ask for, we will go back to the streets again and again," said Mohammed, a 20- year-old student.

[Updated 5:45 p.m. (0045 in Egypt)] Protesters in the streets of Cairo are calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to leave, chanting in unison "we don't want him." The people in the streets represent all walks of life, from young people to families with children, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports.

[Updated 5:31 p.m. (0031 in Egypt)] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says he has asked the government to resign so he can appoint a new government Saturday. He gave no indication that he would step down or leave the country.

[Updated 5:27 p.m. (0027 in Egypt)] President Hosni Mubarak said he is "on the side of the people" and vowed to take steps to guarantee the rights and freedom of Egyptians, develop job opportunities and to "stand by the poor."

He said early Saturday he sees a fine line "between freedom and chaos" and that he would work to secure both freedom and security in Egypt.

I assure you that I'm working for the people and giving freedoms of opinion as long as you are respecting the law, there is a very little line between freedom and chaos," he said.

"I am absolutely on the side of the freedom of each citizen and at the same time I am on the side of the security of Egypt, and I would not let anything dangerous happen that would threaten the peace and the law and the future of the country."

[Updated 5:16 p.m. (0016 in Egypt)] President Hosni Mubarak is expected to speak soon, state-run Nile TV reports. Mubarak has not made any public appearances today.

[Updated 5:09 p.m. (0009 in Egypt)] It's just after midnight in Egypt and people are still milling about the streets in defiance of a government curfew, but activity has calmed, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports. Riot police appear to have withdrawn from the streets of Cairo and Alexandria after several hours of confrontation with protesters, and in their place the Egyptian Army has taken up presence, guarding government buildings.

State-run media reports that an "important statement" will be given later Friday in Egypt.

[Updated 4:58 p.m. (2358 in Egypt)] Thirteen people have died and 75 were injured in Suez, Egypt, Nile TV reported Friday, citing medical sources.

[Updated 4:51 p.m. (2351 in Egypt)] U.S. stocks plunged Friday - with the Dow industrial average falling 166 points, its largest loss since November, and the Nasdaq exchange losing 3% of its value - as investors grew nervous about political unrest in Egypt.

[Updated 4:35 p.m. (2335 in Egypt)] As public protests against the Mubarak regime spread from Cairo to New York City, Egyptian-American activists on Friday called on the Obama adminstration to back the "Lotus Revolution" to oust the authoritarian ruler. They also called on President Hosni Mubarak's government to end its purported practices of detentions, torture and "extrajudicial killings."

[Updated 4:00 p.m. (2300 in Egypt)] An iReporter visiting Egypt shot this video from his hotel room of demonstrators swarming three Army vehicles as they drove down the street.

[Updated 3:52 p.m. (2252 in Egypt)] The United States will review its aid to Egypt based on what is happening there now, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday.

[Updated 3:31 p.m. (2231 in Egypt)] Egyptian military officials have cut short their talks at the Pentagon to head back to northern Africa, according to Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff. Their meetings with their U.S. military counterparts had been scheduled to continue through Wednesday.

[Updated 3:20 p.m. (2222 in Egypt)] The White House has been in touch with the Egyptian government but U.S. President Barack Obama has not spoken with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a briefing.

"We are deeply concerned about the images and events we see in Egypt today. We monitor those events closely; the security personnel need to refrain from violence, protesters should refrain from violence," he said.

"The legitimate grievances that have festered for quite some time in Egypt have to be addressed by the Egyptian government immediately, and violence is not the response. Space has to be created for meaningful dialogue that addresses those very legitimate grievances."

[Updated 2:56 p.m. (2156 in Egypt)] The building housing the offices of the National Democratic Party, Egypt's ruling party, was burned and ransacked by demonstrators in Cairo on Friday, Nile TV is reporting. A CNN source saw the building burning.

[Updated 2:52 p.m. (2152 in Egypt)] CNN's Steve Kastenbaum spoke with a former U.S. ambassador to Morocco and a Mideast adviser to several presidential administrations about the conditions that led to these demonstrations and where they might spread. Click on the icon to listen:

[Updated 2:41 p.m. (2141 in Egypt)] A reporter for the BBC was bloodied but returned to the air, bandage in place. Watch:

[Updated 2:25 p.m. (2125 in Egypt)] Delta Airlines tells CNN it will have a flight departing Cairo on Saturday and then suspend service to the Egyptian capital indefinitely as a result of the civil unrest.

[Updated 2:21 p.m. (2121 in Egypt)] Alexis Madrigal, a senior editor at The Atlantic, published late Thursday what is purported to be a guide to Egyptians on how to protest on Friday. The pamphlet includes strategies for taking over government buildings and diagrams showing how to fend off riot police. Read Madrigal's report and see how the pamphlet looks here.

[Updated 2:03 p.m. (2103 in Egypt)] The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert regarding the unrest in Egypt. It cites disrupted travel between cities and the government's interruption of internet and cell phone service. "Given this situation, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time and advises U.S. citizens currently in Egypt to defer non-essential movement and to exercise caution," the alert states.

[Updated 1:39 p.m. (2039 in Egypt)] Several high-ranking Egyptian military officials were in the Pentagon on Friday for a previously scheduled visit, CNN's Chris Lawrence reports. They're attending the annual U.S.-Egypt Military Cooperation Committee meetings to discuss military training, security assistance and defense industrial cooperation.

[Updated 1:33 p.m. (2033 in Egypt)] A pair of CNN iReporters sent impressive video of demonstrators forcing riot police to retreat across the Kasr Al Nile Bridge.

[Updated 1:25 p.m. (2025 in Egypt)] The Egyptian government has ordered cell phone companies to shut down service in selected areas, Vodafone says, adding that it is obliged by law to comply with the order.

[Updated 1:19 p.m. (2047 in Egypt)] Demonstrators in Cairo surrounded a military vehicle, but they were cheering the army, a respected institution in Egypt.

[Updated 12:47 p.m. (1947 in Egypt)] Protesters at the Information Ministry in Cairo are chanting, "The people and the army, we are one," CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports.

[Updated 12:44 p.m. (1944 in Egypt)] Armored personnel carriers are pulling into Alexandria. Protesters are embracing the military presence, CNN's Nic Robertson reports.

 [Updated 12:42 p.m. (1942 in Egypt)] Egyptian TV is reporting that the curfew has been extended to all provinces in Egypt.

[Updated 12:37 p.m. (1937 in Egypt)] The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 140 points at midday in New York because of the unrest in Egypt. The price of oil has soared $3.70 a barrel and gold has rallied by more than $22 an ounce.

[Updated 12:21 p.m. (1921 in Egypt)] Demonstrators are attacking a police station in Cairo housing officers who protect the state Information Ministry, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports. Live gunfire can be heard, he says.

[Updated 12:10 p.m. (1910 in Egypt)] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the Egyptian government to exercise restraint in dealing with protests and to respect citizens' human rights. She also cautioned demonstrators to refrain from violence. Clinton asked the government "to allow peaceful protests and reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communications." "We are deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protesters and we call on the Egyptian government to do everything within its power to restrain its security forces," Clinton said. "At the same time, protesters should also refrain from violence and express themselves peacefully." Clinton was speaking to reporters at the State Department after a meeting with Colombia's vice president. 

[Updated 11:58 a.m. (1858 in Egypt)] Protesters are trying to make their way into the center of Cairo despite the government's imposition of an overnight curfew, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports. Egyptian army personnel are not confronting them, and the protesters are treating the soldiers with respect, he says.

[Updated 11:50 a.m. (1850 in Egypt)] Fires can be seen in front of the Egyptian ruling party headquarters in Cairo, state-run Nile TV said Friday night. A Nile TV anchor said "criminals" are setting the blazes.

[Updated 11:34 a.m. (1834 in Egypt)] A protester in Cairo appears to be shot when he picks up a rock to throw at riot police; witnesses and a security source say the man died.

[Updated 11:18 a.m. (1818 in Egypt)] People continue to travel the streets after dark on foot and in vehicles despite the commencement of a government-imposed curfew, live video from Al-Jazeera shows.

[Updated 11:05 a.m. (1805 in Egypt)] Egyptian security forces were shutting the Cairo office of Arabic-language news network Al-Jazeera with force on Friday, according to Mohasad Nanabhay, head of new media for the network.

[Updated 10:51 a.m. (1751 in Egypt)] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to make a speech this evening to address the unrest.

[Updated 10:37 a.m. (1737 in Egypt)] CNN's Nic Roberston reports a police station is among buildings on fire in downtown Alexandria.

[Updated 10:33 a.m. (1730)] The Egyptian government has imposed a curfew in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria, effective less than 30 minutes from now (11 a.m. ET, 1800 in Egypt), according to Egyptian state TV.

[Updated 10:24 a.m. (1724 in Egypt)] See photos taken by a CNN iReporter from a hotel window in Cairo.

[Updated 10:21 a.m. (1721 in Egypt)] Police reportedly are confiscating cameras from guests, including tourists, at the Hilton Hotel in Cairo.

[Updated 10:13 a.m. (1713 in Egypt)] Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei has been placed under house arrest, a high-level security source told CNN Friday.

[Updated 10:04 a.m. (1704 in Egypt)] CNN's Ben Wedeman reports his first sighting of Egyptian army troops getting involved in the unrest in Cairo.

Two armored personnel carriers arrived near a bridge to cries of "Allahu akhbar" from protesters, who apparently believe the army will show more restraint than riot police have, Wedeman reported.

[Updated 9:57 a.m. (1657 in Egypt)] U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday called on Egypt's government "to exercise restraint and protect the rights of its citizens to freedom of expression, information and assembly.

"I call on the government to take concrete measures to guarantee the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, including by restoring free use of mobile phones and social networks," she said in a statement.

[Updated 9:49 a.m. (1649 in Egypt)] One woman killed in clashes in Cairo, Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reports via Twitter.

[Updated 9:45 a.m. ET (1645 in Egypt) Unrest apparently is worsening in central Alexandria on Friday afternoon, with thick heavy smoke billowing through the streets, eruptions of automatic and single-shot gunfire, and an apparent blaze near the city's Manshia Square, CNN's Nic Robertson reports.

[Updated 9:39 a.m. ET] Tweets from CNN iReporters in the past hour:

Salma Al-Hussaini - Says she's an 18-year-old in Dubai: I heard from my cousins. Apparently only landlines are working. & things are frightening, people must stay indoor to stay safe.

Cyberela: Unable to reach my cousin in Heliupolis #Cairo, international mobile phone is dead. ðŸ™

Baby B.: I wish I heard from my family in Egypt but I can't thru on their house phone and other means of communication are down. 

[Updated 9:30 a.m.] U.S. President Barack Obama is requesting daily "multiple briefings" on the crisis in Egypt, White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said Friday.

Obama received a memo from National Security Adviser Tom Donilon on Friday and will get another update during the president's daily briefing on intelligence matters.

[Updated 9:09 a.m.] Al-Masry Al-Youm, Egypt's independent daily newspaper, tweets: Protesters storm Misr Helwan Street headed to Downtown, chanting, "people want the regime to fall". #25Jan

[Updated 9:06 a.m.] Protesters on a pedestrian bridge throw rocks at police vehicles passing below.

[Updated 9:02 a.m.] Fresh tweets getting through from CNN's Ben Wedeman:

Massive cloud of tear gas at Zamalek end of 6 October Bridge..into the Nile. Protesters continue to chant "Down Down Mubarak. #Jan25 #Egypt

Egypt TV: Police have established complete control in all areas...over pictures of tear gas, burning car, protesters. #Jan25 #Egypt

Madness in central Cairo. Tear gas everywhere police truck drives on 6 October Bridge randomly firing tear gas at point blank range #Jan25

[Updated 8:56 a.m.] iReporters have sent images, videos and descriptions of the unrest in Egypt.

[Updated 8:44 a.m.] Riot police are using tear gas to disperse tens of thousand of protesters on the streets of the Egyptian city of Suez, state TV in Egypt reported Friday. The protests have been violent and about 15,000 riot police have been deployed there, state TV reported.

[Updated 8:34 a.m.] Internet shut down across Egypt, interrupting Twitter and text communication among protest groups.

[Updated 8:29 a.m.] CNN's Nic Robertson tweets from Alexandria that older men are calming younger protesters and talking to police in tear gas-filled streets. Police are falling back in response, calming a volatile situation.

[Updated 7:40 a.m.] A major Egyptian protest group says the government crackdown on demonstrators is occurring across the nation on Friday. Along with Cairo and Alexandria, riot police are cracking down on protesters in Suez, Ismailia, Fayoum, and Shbin Elkoum, according to a message from Egyptian Liberation.

Four French journalists have been arrested in Cairo, said Bernard Valero, a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry.

[Posted 7:25 a.m.] Clashes have erupted in the Egyptian city of Cairo on Friday, according to CNN reporters at the scene.

Protesters have taken to the street and tear gas was being fired. Plainclothes and riot police have stepped in to confront the protesters.

Police have told Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei not to leave a mosque near downtown Cairo, a security source told CNN.

A CNN crew working to cover the clashes felt the wrath of Egypt's police on Friday.

CNN Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman said police grabbed a camera from network photojournalist Mary Rogers, cracked its viewfinder, and took the camera away.

Wedeman, who gave the account on CNN television, urged police to give back the camera to show that Egypt indeed does believe in freedom of the press.

But, he said, the forces wouldn't agree.

Wedeman and CNN Correspondent Fred Pleitgen said the incident is apparently not isolated since camera crews from other networks have had similar experiences.


soundoff (946 Responses)
  1. Scott

    My opinion matters most.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Mary

    just heard that the protesters are calming down cause all military forces have withdrawn

    January 28, 2011 at 3:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • JG

      I just heard from my husband who is in Cairo – he said that the military are not actually military – they are presidential police. the protesters are turning on them.
      Also – major looting happening in Mohandisseen district – teens steeling from shops, malls, and offices (Shahab St. in particular). This is being broadcast on local news.

      January 28, 2011 at 3:09 pm | Report abuse |
  3. SnakePliskin

    I REALLY hope Egypt doesn't adopt a hard line Islamic government. I hear about a lot of muslim clerics organizing all this stuff online. True democracy is about relaxing a bit instead of having morality enforced by the tip of a sword. I sincerely hope American politicians are paying attention. This could be the US's future if things don't start getting better. All these greedy CEOs and politicians might soon find a mob storming the gates of their private residences. The angry mob looting their wealth, shooting the men and taking their wives and daughters as "personal servants". Chances are our politicians are not connecting the dots, for they're too busy padding their stock portfolios. WAKE UP AMERICA... Quickly

    January 28, 2011 at 3:14 pm | Report abuse |
  4. chaka willims

    this will happen in the US unless there is a boom something like the manufactory did in the 50's 60's 70's computers did in the 80's 90's uptil the current crisis

    January 28, 2011 at 3:16 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Orthodox

    When the people are frustrated with the Governments, these things will happen. This can soon happen in developed countries too.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:21 pm | Report abuse |
  6. David M

    What a government says is useless. What a government does is what matters. In this case, the Egyptian govt is shutting or severely limiting the 'social network' outlets. This is the mark of a repressive government. Just like China, North Korea and most other dictator rulers. But sooner or later they will have to concede just to maintain order. Hopefully, the government will not go to the extremes like N. Korea and China have.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:22 pm | Report abuse |
  7. heba

    I watched a live video from Aljazeera showing Egyptian protestors running from a tank while it run over at least one of them and continued chasing them.

    a reporter there showed pieces live ammunition given to her by protestros some of whom bleeding from theri heads.

    the military in Egypt use US arms. US has an obligation to support Egyptians and undo the long time harm that its help to Mubarak caused the people there.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:22 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Billie

    BEFORE this Chaos comes to the U.S.A., which it will shortly,
    Every family who has someone in the militaty should write their loved on a letter and tell them that when this revolution comes to America, they should side with THEIR Families, Friends, and Neighbors.
    DO NOT side with the Gov. and your superior officers. DO NOT be a PUPPET.
    LOVE your family and take a stand Beside them.
    Write those letters NOW!

    January 28, 2011 at 3:25 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Jack

    Police in heavily-Muslim Dearborn, Michigan are on full alert. They fear riots could break out there this evening or this weekend.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:26 pm | Report abuse |
    • Joseph

      Muslims rioting in this country over what's been going on in the Middle East would be the last thing we need.

      Hopefully, things will stay calm in U.S. Muslim communities, and that there will be a peaceful solution to the crisis in Egypt.

      January 28, 2011 at 3:47 pm | Report abuse |
    • David M

      Muslims in the US don't have the numbers in their favor to act out too much. It would not go well for them if they did. I think they will be smart and keep a low profile.

      January 28, 2011 at 3:58 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mike D

      Now that's funny! ROTFL. Why on earth would Muslims riot in Dearborne?! If they do, surround Dearborne and let them work it our amongst themselves.

      January 28, 2011 at 4:22 pm | Report abuse |
    • Bb

      You are so racist,why would Muslims here riot. I cannot believe u people are saying this. These people are rioting because they are politically and economically oppressed not because they are Muslim

      When the greeks were rioting did u think it was because they were orthodox Christian?!?

      January 28, 2011 at 4:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Steve X

      You are so full of it. Dearborn is pretty dispersed and basically a driving community. Never had violent protests regarding the Middle East and is a progressive community in Detroit. Spare me the bs.

      January 28, 2011 at 4:45 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Nick

    This looks like a good time for the USA to go in and "help". Lets take their country and make it a state. We get oil and the Suez canal, they get freedom. Before everyone freaks out, this obviously wont happen but it would be interesting wouldn't it?

    January 28, 2011 at 3:27 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Common Sense

    Which is worse:

    a) An autocratic, police-state government that - when compared to its neighbors - is ultimately more progressive, peaceful, and western than most nations in the area (i.e., a liberalized country by force);

    or

    b) A theocracy that, while technically democratic, is anti-western, liberally backwards and militant. (i.e., a free islamic theocracy)

    I fear these are the two options currently facing Egypt - the former being the current government in Egypt, the latter being what these protestors are trying to acheive.

    Neither is ideal . . . I just don't know which is better.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • Bb

      Do they not have a right to self determination or must we impose our beliefs onto them

      January 28, 2011 at 3:37 pm | Report abuse |
  12. colum lopez

    the poor U S ,they donot want Free Egypt ,as it would not back Israel ,when they are Free

    January 28, 2011 at 3:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • rb

      another radical islamist regime, enslaving its women, throwing the country further into the dark ages, helping to further destabilize a region and threaten a myriad of countries, serving with Lebanon and Syria as another Iranian puppet state? you have a very interesting interpretation of "free"....

      January 28, 2011 at 3:45 pm | Report abuse |
  13. adsf

    1. what a pickle for the US lol. the us funds egypt, egypt supresses democracy. awesome. I am sitting here watching press secretary gibbs give the most BS / dodging press briefing

    ...but let's face it, the US only supports "democracy" when the will of the people happens to align with US interests. I SERIOUSLY doubt that the us would support "DEMOCRACY" in pakistan or saudi arabia where the will of the people would run counter to US interests.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:42 pm | Report abuse |
    • Hum Hum

      The will of the people may certainly be against the regimes propped up by the US, but they'll also turn against any repressive regime including any government that's pro Al Qaeda. People want to live freely without having a minority dictate what they can and cannot do, say or think. It's time the Middle East gets out of the Middle Ages.

      January 28, 2011 at 3:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • Steve X

      Great comments! That is exactly what I have posted many times on other boards. We like Democracy for the people when it will benefit our interests.

      How about democracy in Libya- oh wait they let us have their oil, Saudi, Jordan- same bs.

      Look at S. America- we prop up every mass murdering dictator down there. We know most of those countries would take over their natural resources for the benefit of their peoples first and not US corporations. That is why we have done everything to destroy labor and social movements in S. America just like the Middle East.

      January 28, 2011 at 3:57 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Hum Hum

    No one has to put up with a repressive regime. Drag the prez out in his pjs and toss him out of the Country

    January 28, 2011 at 3:42 pm | Report abuse |
  15. SnakePliskin

    @Ian: You mean "utter" trash. I personally don't hold success against people. There is a serious lack of patriotism among many in the top 1%. I don't want their money. What I do want is a job that pays more than $9 an hour. What I do want is some health insurance. For your information I'm in school going for two degrees. I've been working hard for 17 years now trying to make a life for myself. If I sat around and didn't work I could get free health insurance or food, but I work so I'm outta luck. Tell me what's fair about me being hobbled every night because my ankles are sore from work yet I can't get into a Dr? Ever work a corporate job? Let me fill you in: I don't ever get more than 30 hours, so I can't be a full time benefited employee, let alone 40 hours. I wouldn't feel bad at all if your rich blood sucker friends had to suffer for a change. The only people who don't want to help me are upset about their taxes going up 3%. Tell you what, have all the overseas jobs come back and I will change my position.

    January 28, 2011 at 3:44 pm | Report abuse |
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