Egypt

Pro-democracy protests enter 14th day

Thousands of anti-regime protesters in Egypt calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak began their 14th consecutive day of demonstrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square. The protests kicked off on 25 January following invitations to a Facebook event.

Protesters seemed settled on Monday, running normal daily routines. Some were even seen working out in the morning after emerging from their tents.

A number of demonstrators volunteered to distribute breakfast, others sat down to enjoy the sun.

Demonstrator-run broadcasts played nationalist songs, before one protester addressed fellow demonstrators to urge them to maintain their stance.

Monday morning saw a decrease in the number of protesters stationed at the square. Protestors explained that only a few demonstrators spend the night in Tahrir, but are joined by other protesters early in the morning.

Mohamed Hassan, 25, stressed they will keep their positions until President Mubarak steps down, pointing out that his pledges had failed to meet their demands.

On Monday night, army units tried to make space for passing vehicles, but were met with a line of demonstrators who stood hand-in-hand to block their way.

Mahmoud Ali, 30, said the protest has not been affected by the resumption of work at government agencies, and that some employees join them after finishing work.

Vice President Omar Suleiman met with representatives of opposition groups on Saturday and Sunday to hash out a solution to the country's political crisis.

Several of those who attended the meeting said Suleiman rejected the suggestion that Mubarak leave his post, asserting he will  remain until the end of his term.

But Tahrir demonstrators, mainly nonpartisan, argued that those who took part in the meeting with Suleiman do not represent them. They stressed that their primary demand is the president's resignation.

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