Egyptian protesters vow to step up struggle

Embattled President Honsi Mubarak's regime has offered them a string of concessions ranging from pay hikes, constitutional reforms, freeing media and promise to lift emergency curbs, but tens of thousands of youths on a historic sit-in in the heart of the capital have vowed fresh struggle till they end his 30-year rule.

"Nothing will move us. We only have one point agenda to see the back of despot Mubarak," said Shady al-Ghazali Harb, who has been elected by the youths leading the protests to be one of their representatives in talks with the regime.

"We have waited for 30 years for this momentous event and we won't let go," he said, adding the reforms can follow.

Youngsters like Shady al-Ghazali Harb, who have been at the vanguard of the revolution at the Tahrir Square, say that the movement is led by educated and middle class and is not in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The sops by Mubarak announcing 15 per cent pay raise for some six million public employees don't seem to deter the youths camping for last 15 days in the Tahrir Square, the hub of anti-government protests.

"Mubarak has to go and true democracy has to be restored in Egypt, the ancient citadel of civilisation," he told PTI, adding the protests will continue until their demands are met and democracy is ushered in Egypt.

"We want democracy and let democracy bring on him whom people want. We do want to select a person to bring on democracy. This is not how it works. We are pro-democracy and if we are anti-Mubarak it is because he is against democracy."

He said the president has to go. "The upper and lower houses of parliament have to be dissolved and the constitution amended."

The uprising started on January 25 with a call on facebook by a group or page known as 'We are all Khalid Said'.

Khalid was a young Egyptian who was tortured to death in a police station after having uploaded a video clip on the internet showing police officers sharing among them hash they had just confiscated from dealers.

The group now has thousands of members and it had organised a series of protests and events since its creation.

"We decided on the meeting points and the paths the protesters would take until they reached Al-Tahrir square," said Al-Ghazali who was among organisers of the group.

It was no longer a facebook or internet event, he said, adding mobilisation had already been achieved and the word of mouth was the main tool.