AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Thursday

3 February 2011

8:30:00 PM
224313

AL chief joins anti-Mubarak protests

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who has joined anti-Mubarak protests in Cairo's Liberations Square, says he may run for president in the upcoming election.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Moussa was among the millions of protesters chanting a variety of slogans against the Mubarak regime on Friday.

Speaking on the possibility of running for president, the Arab League chief said, "I'm at the disposal of my country of course. But we will see the political developments."

Moussa was quoted by France's Europe 1 radio, as saying that he was "ready to serve as a citizen who has the right to be a candidate [for president]."

Meanwhile, several thousand troops have been deployed at key locations across Cairo.

The opposition has called Friday the 'Day of Departure,' saying the planned massive rally aims to force Mubarak into stepping down. Civil groups have also called for massive protests in Alexandria and Suez.

The developments come as the government continues its harsh crackdown on journalists and media to prevent news coverage of the rallies.

In a recent interview with ABC News, Mubarak said he is fed up with being president and would like to leave office but fears there will be chaos if he steps down.

He denied that his government was responsible for the violence in Cairo's Liberation Square.

Vice President Omar Suleiman on Thursday described the calls for Mubarak's resignation as calls for chaos.

Suleiman said the government has urged all parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood, to engage in national dialog.

The Muslim Brotherhood rejected the government's offer in a statement released on Thursday.

Protesters have vowed to stand firm despite the deadly clashes that left several people dead and at least 1,500 others wounded in Cairo on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.

According to the United Nations, at least 300 people have so far been killed and thousands more have been injured during nationwide protests in Egypt.

Imam Khamenei said on Friday that the recent developments in North Africa are the result of the “Islamic awakening, which followed the great [Islamic] Revolution of the Iranian nation.”

The Leader also described Mubarak as the “lackey of the Zionist regime [of Israel].”

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