Egyptians Rally for Change Despite Cabinet Reshuffle

Posted July 22nd, 2011 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Hundreds of Egyptian protesters renewed calls for reforms on Friday, saying Thursday's Cabinet reshuffle stopped short of meeting their demands.

Chanting activists rallied in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Some demonstrators erected a tent city in the square two weeks ago and vowed to remain there until the interim government met their demands.

Protesters are calling for a number of reforms, including the establishment of a minimum and maximum wage and the prosecution of officials from former President Hosni Mubarak's government who are linked to violence or corruption.

On Thursday, the government swore in a new Cabinet, in which about half of the ministers are new, in a bid to meet the demands of protesters.

But some activists wanted Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to replace the key interior and justice ministers, both of whom kept their posts.

The prime minister vowed to fight corruption and implement other reforms. In a nationally televised address late Thursday, he said he would set up an anti-corruption body and work to end Egypt's hated 30-year emergency law.