Israeli Journalists Arrested in Cairo as Protests Continue
Four Israeli journalists were arrested in Cairo as anti-government protests in Egypt turned violent.
The journalists were arrested Wednesday for violating the curfew in the capital city and for entering the city on tourist visas, according to reports. Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it is working to have the reporters, three from Israel’s Channel 2 and one from Nazareth, released.
“We call on all Israeli reporters arriving in Cairo to remain alert, act responsibility and honor the place’s rules,” the ministry said in its statement.
Meanwhile, anti- and pro-government demonstrators clashed Wednesday afternoon, throwing rocks at each other and tearing down protest banners, in the first show of violence in a week. The army used tear gas to control the crowds, according to reports. It is the first time that President Hosni Mubarak’s supporters have taken to the streets in large numbers since the demonstrations began 9 days ago.
In an address to the Egyptian people Tuesday night, Mubarak said he would not run in the next elections, scheduled for September, and said he would lead an orderly transition of power.
The army on Wednesday took to state television to urge protesters to leave the streets and return to everyday life. “Your message has arrived, your demands became known,” military spokesman Ismail Etman said in an address. “You are capable of bringing normal life to Egypt.”
Also on Wednesday, Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh said he would step down at the end of his presidential term, ending three decades in office. Saleh’s term expires in 2013. Saleh also promised not to pass on his leadership position to his son.
“I present these concessions in the interests of the country. The interests of the country come before our personal interests,” Saleh said Wednesday in an address to his parliament. “No extension, no inheritance, no resetting the clock.”
Saleh made the announcement the day before a planned “Day of Rage” planned by the opposition and inspired by anti-government rallies in Tunisia and Egypt.
Last week, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Sanaa at the city’s university and downtown following several days of smaller protests by students and opposition groups calling for Saleh’s ouster.
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