Egypt’s new Interior Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, on Thursday pledged not to use violence or tear gas to disperse sit-ins and demonstrations.
“The Interior Ministry will not throw another canister on a protestor to disperse protests and demonstrations,” said Ibrahim, confirming that the police’s main role is to provide security for citizens.
The interior minister called upon business owners to heed worker demands in order to avoid strikes.
Ibrahim confirmed that he would work to restore security by increasing the presence of security personnel.
Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri on Thursday held a meeting with Ibrahim and a number of his aides. They discussed measures for securing protests, official sources said.
Ganzouri said in the meeting that he would not permit violence against demonstrators, the sources added.
In a meeting with his aides, Ibrahim affirmed the importance of discussions with protesters in Tahrir Square to find solutions to their problems.
Protesters have continued their sit-in outside the cabinet building for the 14th consecutive day. They seek to prevent Ganzouri’s government from performing its official duties, because it does not represent them, they say. Others have continued to protest in Tahrir Square for 20th consecutive days for the same reason.
Security forces used massive quantities of tear gas against protesters in Tahrir Square during clashes on 19 November, reviving images of face-offs between demonstrators and police during the January and February unrest that resulted in the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February.
