Egyptian protestors continue rally for reforms

CAIRO, July 23, Xinhua

Hundreds of Egyptians continued their rally on Friday in central Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest against the latest government reshuffle and urge other reforms.

The protestors have continued their sit-in in Tahrir Square since July 8, despite the latest government reshuffle announced on Thursday with 14 new ministers. Some protesters considered the reshuffle "useless".

"The cabinet reshuffle doesn't bring anything new for Egyptians, especially that the Minister of Interior keeps his post," Mohamed Attiyah, one of the protestors, told Xinhua.

The dismissal of the interior minister has been one of the demands of youth groups.

Some other protestors said they were against the Parliament Law issued on Wednesday by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

"Why not the supreme council hold meetings with the political forces before issuing new laws, they exactly act like former Mubarak's regime," said Ramy Swissy, spokesperson for the April 6 youth movement, a youth group played a major role in organizing the mass protests in February which toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

Some protestors demanded Mubarak to be swiftly transferred from the Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital to the Tora prison hospital in Cairo.

Meanwhile, several hundred Egyptians, who called themselves " silent majority" gathered in Roxy Square in Cairo, calling for stability and support to the military council.

"We have to know that we are in a transitional period, so we should give the supreme council a chance to reform. Stop sitting- ins and stop disrupting our normal life," Lamees Talat, one of the supporters told state TV.

"We are arranging a march to the Defense Ministry, and we hope many people to join us because we really need to persuade all the Egyptians, specially the youth, not to follow others with political interests and to put our country's interest first," added Talat.