Demands of the Egyptian Revolution, 25 January to 18 February 2011

What are the demands of the Egyptian Revolution? How have they evolved since 25 January?

The protest of Tuesday 25 January was called with three aims: the sacking of the country's interior minister Habib al-Adli, the cancelling of Egypt's perpetual Emergency Law, and a new term limit on the presidency (Guardian 24 Jan 2011). But already at this protest pamphlets widely distributed in the crowd called for the overthrow of Mubarak (Guardian 25 Jan 2011) and there were chants calling for the same (YouTube 7 Feb 2011, Al Jazeera 9 Feb 2011).

In a subsequent interview Wael Ghonim, the Google marketing manager who initiated the 'We are all Khaled Said' Facebook page and was for a while a figurehead of the protest movement, said that the movement needed to unify its demands and that he was planning to meet with the different groups in Tahrir Square for this purpose. Asked about the movement's initial demands, he said: "On the first day we wanted a minimum wage, an unemployment allowance, constitutional amendments that prevent reelection of the president and a transfer of power to the president’s son, the abolition of the state of emergency and the dismissal of the interior minister". The resignation of Mubarak had been added as a demand later. (Al Masry Al Youm 9 Feb 2011).

[On Friday 28 January Mubarak made his first statement, saying that he was going to replace his cabinet. On Saturday 29 January he appointed Omar Suleiman as Vice-President and Ahmed Shafiq as Prime Minister (BBC News 29 Jan 2011). On Sunday 30 January Suleiman said that Mubarak had asked him to begin a dialogue with all the country's political parties (Guardian 31 Jan 2011).]

By the 'March of a Million' day of Tuesday 1 February an English-language banner at the centre of the square extended this call to the whole regime: 'The people demand removal of the regime'.

On Tuesday 1 February Deutsche Presse-Agentur  reported that "several opposition groups" had sent a list of four demands to Suleiman, namely that: Mubarak "and his regime" must step down; a transitional leadership should be formed; a committee should be established to write a new constitution; and parliament should be dissolved. (Yahoo News India 1 Feb 2011)

[Also on 1 February Mubarak made his second statement, saying that he would not rerun for president again and calling for constitutional amendments with regard to presidential elections.]

On 4 February (or maybe earlier) a huge banner was hung on the side of a building on Tahrir Square, listing seven demands:
1) Bringing down the President
2) Dissolution of both houses of parliament
3) Immediate end to state of emergency
4) Formation of a transitional government of national unity
5) Elected parliament to undertake constitutional amendments to hold presidential elections
6) Immediate trials of those responsible for the murder of the revolution’s martyrs
7) Expedient trials of the corrupt and thieves of the country’s wealth
(Arabawy.org 5 Feb 2011, Flickr 1, Flickr 2)

On Saturday 5 February the Guardian reported that a process of collective decision-making on Tahrir Square had led to a new set of demands, including the election of a founding council of 40 public intellectuals and constitutional experts to draw up a new constitution to be put to the Egyptian people in a referendum, and then the holding of fresh and national elections. These had been endorsed by "the 300", the online activists who had initiated the 25 January protests. The Guardian adds that "other demands to have come out the square include the end of the country's Emergency Law, the dismantling of the state security apparatus, and the trial of key regime leaders, including Mubarak." (Guardian 5 Feb 2011).

[Also on 5 February the entire executive board of the National Democratic Party (NDP), including Gamal Mubarak, were replaced. The reformist Hossam Badrawy was appointed as Secretary General (Al Masry Al Youm 5 Feb 2011)]

On Sunday 6 February at a press conference a coalition called the Coalition of the Angry Youth Uprising, including the 6 April Youth Movement, Young People for Justice and Freedom, and the Muslim Brotherhood's youth wing, called for the Mubarak's resignation, the abolition of the Emergency Law, the dissolution of parliament, the formation of a "National Salvation Front", the formation of a judicial committee to investigate the death and injury of protesters, and for the army to protect protesters in Tahrir Square from attacks by "pro-regime thugs". They rejected the talks that had taken place that day between Suleiman and some other activists (Al Masry Al Youm 6 Feb 2011).]

[On Tuesday 8 February Suleiman announced that a committee had been formed to draw up changes to the constitution.]

On Wednesday 9 February Ahram Online reported that activists had formed a coalition of six groups, including the April 6th Youth Movement, Youth for Justice and Freedom, El Baradei's campaign, the Popular Democratic Movement for Change, the Democratic Front, the youth wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the We Are All Khaled Said Facebook group to represent the movement. It had 14 group representatives, including Ahmed Maher of the April 6th Youth Movement and Wael Ghonim, and an assembly of several hundred members. Their demands included an end to police brutality, abolition of the Emergency Law, free and fair elections, constitutional changes, and Mubarak's resignation. (Ahram Online 9 Feb 2011)

[Also on 9 February strikes and labour protests began to break out across Egypt]

On Thursday 10 February, the journalist Robert Naimon wrote that "four key demands have been constantly lifted up by protesters and opposition parties which are essential for a credible transition to democracy", namely: (1) end arbitrary detentions and release those detained, (2) end the state of emergency, (3) guarantee free electoral competition, (4) restore full judicial supervision of elections. (Huffington Post 10 Feb 2011).

Also on 10 February, the blogger Wael Khalil posted a list of demands which he said "are the summary of various discussions at Tahrir Square, and are, of course, not representative of everyone at the square". The demands were:

Immediate demands:
1. The resignation of president Mohammed Hosni Mubarak
2. Cancelling the Emergency Law
3. Dismantling the state secret service
4. An announcement by (Vice-President) Omar Sulieman that he will not run in the next presidential elections
5. Dissolving the Parliament and Shura Council
6. Releasing all the prisoners detained since January 25
7. Ending the curfew so that life resumes as normal across the country
8. Dismantling the university guards system
9. Referring officials responsible for the use of violences against the peaceful protesters since January 25 and those responsible for the organised thuggery which followed January 28 to an investigation committee
10. Sacking Anas El Fiqi [Minister of Information] and stopping the attack on protesters in government owned media through threats and calling protesters traitors, and ending the spread of hate against foreigners in the streets.
11. Reimbursing shop owners for their losses during the curfew
12. Announcing the demands above on government television and radio

Demands for the transitional period:
1. Drafting a new constitution
2. The right to set up newspapers and open television and radio stations without a prior permission
3. Putting the minimum wage of 1,200 Egyptian Pounds into effect
4. The right to set up political parties, by notification
5. The right to set up associations and unions, by notification
6. Achieving a real autonomy and independence for national newspapers and television and radio stations, through new legislation and the reformation of companies, establishments of ministries
7. Cancelling the national service in the police force
8. Ending the security clampdown on telecommunications and the internet
(Waelk.net 10 Feb 2011 (Arabic); Global Voices 10 Feb 2011; Al Masry Al Youm 10 Feb 2011)

[Also on 10 February the Armed Forces Supreme Council issued its 'Communique no. 1', stating that it had met and would continue meeting. In the evening Mubarak made his third statement, saying he had proposed various constitutional amendments and suggesting that he had delegated some of his powers to the Vice-President, but asserting that he would remain as President until September.

[On Friday 11 February the Armed Forces Supreme Council issued Communique no. 2, stating that would ensure the ending of the state of emergency as soon as the "current circumstances" were over, and that it would ensure a "peaceful transfer of authority" towards "a free democratic community that the people aspire to". Later that day Suleiman announced that Mubarak had stepped down as president and charged the Supreme Council with administering the affairs of the country (BBC News 12 Feb 2011). Later again the Supreme Council issued Communique no. 3, referring to "the demands of our great people everywhere for fundamental change" and stating that the Council "is not a replacement for the legitimacy that is acceptable to the people".]

On Saturday 12 February, the Guardian reported that "some of the organisers of Egypt’s revolution announced they had formed a council to negotiate with the military and to oversee future demonstrations to keep up pressure on the army to meet demands for democratic change". The Guardian cited Khaled Abdel Qader Ouda as one of the organisers, and said that the group had produced 'People's communiqué no. 1', with a set of demands (Guardian 12 Feb 2011).

The demands in the communiqué were reported more fully by the blogger Andy Roberts the same day:
"- The dissolution of the cabinet Mubarak appointed on 29 January and the suspension of the parliament elected in a rigged poll late last year.
- A transitional five-member presidential council made up of four civilians and one military person.
- For the formation of a transitional government to prepare for an election to take place within nine months, and of a body to draft a new democratic constitution.
- Freedom for the media and syndicates, which represent groups such as lawyers, doctors and engineers, and for the formation of political parties.
- Military and emergency courts must be scrapped."
(DARNet 12 Feb 2011)

Also on 12 February, Associated Press reported that a "coalition of youth groups that organized the protests" had put forward a list of demands, including: "lifting of Emergency Law; creation of a presidential council made up of a military representative and two 'trusted personalities'; the dissolving of the ruling party-dominated parliament; and the forming of a broad-based unity government and a committee to either amend or rewrite completely the constitution". Shady el-Ghazali Harb of the Democratic Front was named as a member of the coalition. (Yahoo News 12 Feb 2011).

[Also on 12 February, the Armed Forces Supreme Council issued Communique no. 4, stating that "the current government, and governors shall continue as a caretaker administration until a new government is formed.]

[On Sunday 13 February, at a press conference the Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said that the government would remain "as is" (Al Masry Al Youm 13 Feb 2011). The Armed Forces Supreme Council later issued its Communique no. 5 or 'Constitutional proclamation'. This affirmed the values of freedom, the rule of law, equality, democracy, social justice and "uprooting corruption", and announced that the constitution would be suspended; that the Council would run the country's affairs itself for 6 months or until elections were held; that both houses of parliament would be dissolved; that a committee would be formed to formulate amendments to the constitution which would be presented to the people in a referendum; and that the present cabinet headed by Ahmed Shafiq would "continue its work until a new cabinet is formed". Also, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry aasked the European Union to freeze the assets of six former regime members including Ahmed Nazif (former prime minister) and Anas al-Fiqy (former minister of information) (Al Masry Al Youm 13 Feb 2011).]

[Also on 13 February Wal Ghonim and another activist, director Amr Salama, reported a meeting they and six other "youth leaders", including several of the Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution representatives named by Ahram Online on 9 February, had had that day with two members of the Armed Forces Supreme Council, Mahmoud Hijazi and Abdel Fattah. According to their report the generals assured them that the army did not want to assume power; that it would not shoot any Egyptians; that its aim was to protect "the legitimate demands of the Revolution of January 25"; that the current government would be changed as soon as possible; that those guilty of corruption would be prosecuted regardless of their position; that a new independent constitutional commission would produce amendments to the constitution within  ten days to be put to a national referendum within two months; that the army would search for all missing protestors using a list to be provided by the eight activists; that it would act only as the guarantor of democratic transformation and would not interfere in the political process; and that it would pursue all those involved in death or injury of demonstrators. They also encouraged young people to form new political parties. Future meetings were promised with other young Egyptians of different shades of opinion. (We Are All Khaled Said Facebook Page 13 Feb 2011 (Arabic), Reuters 14 Feb 2011).]

On Monday 14 February the Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution issued a policy paper calling for the formation of a new interim government of technocrats within a month headed by "a patriotic civil personality that the people respect and trust"; the dismissal of all ministers belonging to the NDP; the lifting of the state of emergency; the abolition of marital laws and exceptional courts; the dismantling of the NDP and confiscation of its assets; respect for the right to form associations, unions and media outlets; the dissolution of the state security apparatus; the release of all political prisoners; the abrogation within ten days of the law regulating the formation of political parties; and the drafting of a new law for the exercise of political rights within a month; and the lowering of the eligibility age for parliamentary and presidential candidates. (Al Mastry Al Youm 16 Feb 2011). According to a separate report the Coalition also asked for the drafting of a new constitution establishing a "parliamentary republic" with a separation of powers. (Al Masry Al Youm 15 Feb 2011)

Also on 14 February around 500 workers demonstrated state-controlled Egyptian Trade Union Federation to demand the federation’s dissolution Al Masrty Al Youm 14 Feb 2011.

[Also on 14 February the Muslim Brotherhood called for a timetable for amending the Constitution and holding new presidential elections, for the abolition of military tribunals, the release of all political prisoners, free and fair parliamentary elections under judicial supervision, the abolition of the Emergency Law, and the formation of a new cabinet supported by the public Al Mastry Al Youm 14 Feb 2011.]

[Also on 14 February the Supreme Council issued another communiqué, calling on workers to end strikes (Reuters 14 Feb 2011).]

On Tuesday 15 February a group of intellectuals and representatives from professional syndicates had issued a statement calling for the abolition of the Emergency Law; the creation of a civil transitional government and presidential council; the establishment of "greater leeway" for the creation of political parties; the prosecution of Mubarak and members of his regime for crimes committed against the Egyptian people; the "purification" of the police apparatus from corruption; freedom of the press; and the implementation of  "a more equitable minimum wage and efficient tax system". The report also quoted a representative as a group "elected by the people" to draw up a new constitution. (Al Masry Al Youm 15 Feb 2011).

[Also on Tuesday 15 February the membership of the new constitutional committee appointed by the Armed Forces Supreme Council was announced and it met for the first time.]

On Wednesday 16 February the "Coalition of the 25 January Revolution" called for the immediate release of all political prisoners; the formation of a government cabinet consisting of technocrats; the abolition of the Emergency Law; and the abolition of the State Security Investigation Bureau; and "the retrieval of all monies pilfered from the public purse by members of the former regime". (Al Masry Al Youm 16 Feb 2011).

Also on 16 February the following demands were posted on a number of blog under the heading "We want the rights of our martyrs":
1. The dissolution of Shafiq's cabinet and the formation of a technocrats' cabinet.
2. The immediate release of all protestors who were detained during the revolution.
3. The trial of the high ranks of the ministry of interior and the NDP for the crimes they committed against the revolutionaries.
4. The dismantling of the Directorate for State Security Investigations.
5. The announcement of a timetable for the end of use of the Emergency Law.
6. Granting the right of peaceful protest for all Egyptians
(Atralnada, 16 Feb 2011 etc.)

On Thursday 17 February a group of activists calling itself "Union of the Youth Revolution" from parties including the Progressive National Unionist Party, the New Wafd Party, the Tomorrow Party, the Egyptian Communist Party, and the New Left Party called for the creation of a transitional council including representatives from the Egyptian Armed Forces, the cancellation of the Emergency Law, the dissolution of the state security apparatus, the dissolution of State Security courts, the dissolution of the NDP and prosecution of its leaders, the dismissal of the current Ahmed Shafiq government, the immediate release of all political detainees, and the setting of a fixed date within six months for presidential and parliamentary elections. (Al Masry Al Youm 17 Feb 2011)

Also on 17 February a group of 21 judges and legal experts called for the constitutional amendments to include one mandating the drafting of a new constitution establishing a parliamentary republic after national elections (Al Masry Al Youm 17 Feb 2011)

[Also on 17 February security forces arrested Habib el-Adly (former interior minister), Ahmed Maghrabi and Zuheir Garana (former ministers), and Ahmed Ezz (head of Ezz Steel) as part of a corruption enquiry. (Al Masry Al Youm 17 Feb 2011)]

On 18 February a huge 'victory and continuity march' was staged in Tahrir Square. Activist Gigi Ibrahim stated that its demands were the release of all political prisoners, especially those detained since 25 January, an end to the emergency and the resignation of the Mubarak-appointed governmentAhram Online 18 Feb 2011. The Muslim cleric Yusuf Al Qaradawi gave a sermon to the march, calling for the dismissal of the government, the release of all political prisoners, a transition to civilian rule as soon as possible, an end to strikes, and the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza. (Ahram Online 18 Feb 2011, Al Masry Al Youm 18 Feb 2011). The most favoured chant in the square was reported to be 'The people want the country cleansed' (Ahram Online 18 Feb 2011).

First published 13 February 2011, revisions to 23 February.

Tweets from 11-12 February 2011

A collection of tweets from Egyptian activists in the 24 hours following Mubarak's resignation.

11 Feb

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Mubarak has STEPPED DOWN!

Alshaheeed Khaled Said
MUBARAK RESIGNSSSSSSSSS

monasosh monasosh
Shit! Ppl are going crazy, screaming and running, Mubarak jas stepped down

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
IT HAPPENED?!

AymanM Ayman Mohyeldin
Freeeeeeeedddooooommm!!!!!!

monasosh monasosh
Ppl are screaming " long live the revolution" we finally got rid of him

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
I can't type.. Shaking.. Protesters euphoria indescribable. Mubarak is out.

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
Tears filling Tahrir!

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
It IS the decisive Friday. I'm only crying at the moment along with 2 million men in Tahrir.

sharifkouddous Sharif Kouddous
Unbelievable!! He's gone! Scenes of jubilations in Tahrir. I will never forget this moment.

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
streets crazy in heliopolis. Fireworks from balconies, honking cars, flags, chants, dancing

NoMoreDictators No More Dictators
from presidential palace: I am proud to be Egyptian. We are courageous & powerful. Thank God for our freedom.

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
Palace protesters heading to Tahrir. Chanting 'FREEDOM'.

monasosh monasosh
Today we fulfilled our promise to those who died

ElFoulio Abdel-Rahman Hussein
I can't believe it, astounded ... Let's remember those who paid their lives for this

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
Hugged complete strangers. Making a pilgrimage from pres palace to tahrir with thousands

monaeltahawy Mona Eltahawy
Mabrouk [congratulations] Egypt! Yes! Courageous sisters & brothers wnbeautiful peaceful revolution ended a 30yr dictator. The regime next! Ecstatic!

sharifkouddous Sharif Kouddous
Every street is filled with people cheering, celebrating, honking, dancing. Indescribable.

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Mom is crying with joy!

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
I can't stop crying. I've never been more proud in my life

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Finally, I have a country.

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
This is the happiest day of all of our lives! Egypt's birthday: January 25, 2011

alaa Alaa Abd El Fattah
Celebrating with family couldn't be more happy or proud

monasosh monasosh
I can't stop crying & laughing

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
My Egypt. A new Egypt. My world. A new world.

monasosh monasosh
Ppl are chanting " Egypt is free, mubarak out" & " we r the youth of revolution" & " raise ur head, u r an Egyptian"

ElFoulio Abdel-Rahman Hussein
My whole life I waited for this, you did it, thank you jan25 now let's party

monasosh monasosh
Unbelievable the metro driver is cheering wt the horn, ppl are dancing & screaming in the metro station

monasosh monasosh
We just scratched out "Mubarak" name from metro-stations map & replaced it wt " the martyrs"

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
Tahrir square is on fire out of happiness, pride, and celebration ..i wish you were all with me !

monasosh monasosh
We have to remember Khaledsaid [Khaled Said, young man beaten to death by police in an internet cafe in Alexandria in June 2010] and all those we lost in our battle

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
I have cried my heart out today. So happy we stood our ground and didnt let our martyrs down

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
People in Tahrir now singing: We're all one hand, with one demand: Freedom! freedom!

ElFoulio Abdel-Rahman Hussein
Just saw a great sight at galaa square, baby lifted up in a circle of ppl chanting raise ur head ur egyptian, kid is all smiles

monasosh monasosh
We should go & celebrate infront of omraneya police station. They were famous for torturing ppl

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
i am so looking forward to rebuilding Egypt without corruption or injustice.. I will give my country all i have, for Egypt i will rebuild!

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Fireworks, dancing, singing, crying, laughing in the streets of Egypt.

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
Never give up on your principles even if the whole world is against you, that's what the revolution taught me

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Now what do I do with all the Coke & Pepsi I bought to counter the tear-gas?

TamerELG Tamer El-Ghobashy
soldier, away from crowds, on cell phone, crying: "mom, i want to celebrate with the people."

monasosh monasosh
I'm in Tahrir square.This is where it all started on Jan25 when we declared our demands ppl thought we were mad. Look where madness got us

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
My mom's comment: "OMG, I've spent half my life under Mubarak's rule!"

TheElders The Elders
“Brothers & sisters of Egypt, you have given the world the most precious gift: the belief that ultimately right will prevail.” Desmond Tutu

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Now I understand what it feels like to have a country to call your own. To finally have a home.

3arabawy Hossam
People we will get free press. We fought for it, and we got it. NO RED LINES ANYMORE!

AymanM Ayman Mohyeldin
today witnessed the fall of one man from power and the empowerment of 80 million egyptians

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
victory means: No more dressing in a dozen layers (so if police/thugs tear off clothes, there's always another layer).

shadysamir Shady Samir
Turned out that democracy is not ready for the Egyptian people, not the other way around

arwasm Arwa Mahmoud
So happy I can't sleep!

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
Don't forget the 300+ martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this moment to come true. The real heroes of

ghalyshafik Ghaly Shafik
hugged kissed people i don't know..and got drunk in korba and distributed beer for free -- revolution!!!

Ghonim Wael Ghonim
No more torture in Egypt.

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
No more lies, no more contradi ctions, no more dictatorship, I can't sleep realizing what we did

monasosh monasosh
Tomorrow 10am, we all go and help in cleaning tahrir square. Bring garbage bags, gloves and join us

occupiedcairo Occupied Cairo
I am free, drunk, happy, optimistic but still remember those who died to make this day possible Wherever you are our love is with you

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
Haha one of the protesters: "I'm afraid if I go to sleep, Mubarak will be back in the morning". 8 hrs later and the news hasn't sunk in yet.

3arabawy Hossam
Yesterday, we were all Tunisians. Today we are all Egyptians. Tomorrow we will all b: Syrians? Yemenis? Jordanians? Algerians? Palestinians?

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
Oh man! Egyptians are not going to bed tonight.. & clearly neither am I! The streets r NOT clearing out @ all!!

Ghonim Wael Ghonim
Dear Egyptians, Go back to your work on Sunday, work like never before and help Egypt become a developed country.

3arabawy Hossam
@Ghonim Why because mission accomplished again?! You trust Mubarak's generals with the transition to democracy? Dude, give us a break.

monaeltahawy Mona Eltahawy
Thank you all for the virtual hugs and for crying in joy with me! Yalla Egypt!

shadysamir Shady Samir
And again, before I go to sleep... RIP Khaled Said

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
People in Egypt fully aware of magnitude of their achievement and how its inspirational effect will resonate across the region

monasosh monasosh
Ooh for the 1st time in 18 days I will sleep while my mobile is on "silent" *sigh*

3arabawy Hossam
US pundits on TV saying Israel was not an issue in Jan25 protests r fools. Did u listen to the chants in Tahrir or saw the banners?

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
I was honored today to finally meet and talk with Khaled Said's mom and uncle who were the proudest people, we cried, it was so moving

ThamerSalman Thamer Saeed Salman
This revolution is not only an Egyptian or Arab inspiration.This is a global event that will inspire the world at large

alaa Alaa Abd El Fattah
so privileged to be part of this moment, I doubt I'll live a day more profound. will never forgive myself for missing the first half

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
The road to Jerusalem passes through Cairo, we are that much closer. Palestine you will always be the greatest battle of all

PortSa3eedy Karim Shata
Invite tourists to come back. It's safe, it's clean, cheap, and its in damn good mood.

Ssirgany Sarah El Sirgany
I'm dead tired, but can't sleep. In our new Egypt, sleeping sounds like wasting time. We should enjoy every moment of freedom.

12 Feb

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
Good morning from the happiest place in the world.

arwasm Arwa Mahmoud
Woke up with the chants in my head: 'Mother Egypt, here are your children! For you they have endured!' Beautiful memory.

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
I haven't seen my bed in SO long, it's gonna be one hell of an emotional reunion :)

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
Today is the greatest birthday ever. I'm overwhelmed. I love you, free Egypt :)

ghalyshafik Ghaly Shafik
Good morning free Egypt. Good morning free people
mfatta7 Mohamed Abdelfattah
A completely different morning. Liberty in the air. A new Egypt.

Sandmonkey Sandmonkey
So...ehh..where is Omar Suleiman? :P

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
I'm still waiting for the Egyptian police to apologize to us.

arwasm Arwa Mahmoud
I love Egypt. I love Egyptians. Egyptians are showing the world what it's like to be a peaceful revolutionary!

Ghonim Wael Ghonim
Good morning, Egypt. I truly missed you in the past 30 years!

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
I am so proud of Egypt's youth. I am SO proud of them

3arabawy Hossam عمو حسام
You gotta understand that whether Tahrir Sq occupation continues or not, the real fight is now in the factories.

3arabawy Hossam عمو حسام
You might get fooled coz u ran out of steam already, but the workers have nothing to lose, and now they r out in full force.

3arabawy Hossam
The "Mission Accomplished" people on Twitter, u r gravely mistaken. By asking the people to trust Mubarak's generals u r digging our graves.

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
Even though they've stopped dancing, everyone's still jubilant. I look into people's eyes and see freedom & dignity for the 1st time.

3arabawy Hossam
Thousands of Public Transport #egyworkers r now demonstrating in el-Gabal el-Ahmar in Nasr City.

3arabawy Hossam
The temporary workers in Helwan Steel Mills r now staging sit in, south of Cairo.

3arabawy Hossam
Around 5,000 #egyworkers in El-Hawamdiya Sugar Factory are now on strike.

3arabawy Hossam
I'm getting more industrial reports. Don't expect the blue collar workers to resume work like what the middle class activists r calling for.

LaraAasem Lara Aasem
I propose a Freedom Festival at Tahrir every year from Jan25 to Feb12!

Sandmonkey Sandmonkey
This is nuts. Everyone is cleaning :)

_shenawy Fady Elshenawy
Yes it happened , i saw 3 foreigners cleaning the square with the Egyptians, how great it looks

arwasm Arwa Mahmoud
Is Egypt the newborn child or am I the newborn child?

monasosh monasosh
Sun is shining on Tahrir square,everyone here is smiling and cleaning. Beautiful people of my country

shadihamid Shadi Hamid
Just met w- Brotherhood youth activist. Tells me Egyptian revolution could be historic event on par w- French revolution

hsyousef Hanan Youssef
Protests continue in factories and various cities...for them it was not about Mubarak but economic reform n' anti corruption measures

ghalyshafik Ghaly Shafik
In tahrir Sheikh christian priest and judge holding hands on stage me in tears http://yfrog.com/h4m6atbj

shadihamid Shadi Hamid
Amazing to watch in tahrir sq, ppl excited to rebuild their country. Everyone helping out, cleaning the streets

shadihamid Shadi Hamid
I think we can start to speak of a new revolutionary spirit in Egypt

arwasm Arwa Mahmoud
When Egypt was born again Yesterday, we all became Newborn children.

Rouelshimi Rowan El Shimi
I can hear my mom sing "Ya habibty ya masr" in the kitchen... It's a good day!

SultanAlQassemi Sultan Al Qassemi
Veteran Egyptian writer Hamdi Qandeel "The Egyptian state media employees did not handle the revolution with professionalism"

sharifkouddous Sharif Kouddous
Crowds of people cleaning up Kasr El Nile bridge leading into Tahrir. You[ng] people bussing in to help out

sharifkouddous Sharif Kouddous
I bump into my cousin, Ismail Naguib, on Kasr El Nile bridge. He says: "the new weapon of choice is the broom"

Eyousry E.
Guys.. whoever is still coming to Tahrir, we need black n white paint and rollers! We're repainting and reconstructing pavements. Pls RT.

sharifkouddous Sharif Kouddous
Incredible how many are coming in to clean Tahrir. People jubilant, hopeful. This revolution continues to amaze me.

Rouelshimi Rowan El Shimi
I move to change the name of the mubarak metro station to 25jan

Pixeledtweet Ahmed
''When was it that you realised this revolution will succeed?'' They asked him. ''The moment we underestimated our people'' he replied

SultanAlQassemi Sultan Al Qassemi
Hats off to Egyptians, Al Jazeera is showing images of doctors, university students & civilians from all walks of life cleaning the streets.

arwasm Arwa Mahmoud
Entering tahrir and cheering with the broom! http://yfrog.com/h73wbacj

estr4ng3d Abdelrahman Hassan
It is literally a challenge to find more dust to sweep in tahrir now.

estr4ng3d Abdelrahman Hassan
I am not exaggerating when I say the asphalt in tahrir is SQUEAKY CLEAN. Smells of disenfectant too! http://yfrog.com/h49dehcj

hsyousef Hanan Youssef
Pls don't be over joyed that u miss supporting workers still protesting and striking for fair rights

AymanM Ayman Mohyeldin
Volunteers in my neighborhood with brooms and garbage bags cleaning streets

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
I can't stop shedding tears. The tears won't stop. Tears for those who died mainly. And tears of happiness and hope of new beginnings

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
Scene I wont forget from yesterday: young man who camped in Tahrir was ill with cold & no sleep for 3 nights fainted when Mubarak resigned

NadiaE Nadia El-Awady
Do y'all think it's all right to add "toppled a dictator" to my CV? Shows I can work in teams, I'm a perfectionist, and get the job done.

monaeltahawy Mona Eltahawy
To friends planning revolutions, some advice offered in humility & w love: very few people will have any faith in you. To hell with them.

sonofselassie wise
algeria got their ticket for the freedom train we will all be with you until we arrive at #FreeAlgeria

Rouelshimi Rowan El Shimi
Egyptians are cleaning the streets as if they are washing mubarak and his regime off the streets!

monasosh monasosh
army kept old gov & didn't enforce their choice.we shd propose alternative gov,if army doesn't endorse this then we go back 2 tahrir

melbakry Mohamad Elbakry
Congratulation to all Egyptians, the end of a rotten era

etharkamal Ethar El-Katatney
They're actually repainting the pavements in tahrir. I am SO proud of my fellow countrymen right now!

Elazul Elazul
I can never, and will Never forget those who died for us. Their blood was too high a cost. May they rest in peace.

Rouelshimi Rowan El Shimi
Dear world, now egypt is cleaning the past and rebuilding its future. It's time to stand by algeria! Viva la revolucion!

3arabawy Hossam عمو حسام
Oil #egyworkers to strike tomorrow, calling for impeaching Minister Sameh Fahmy, halting gas exports to Israel http://bit.ly/i3tHDF

monasosh monasosh
Sun is shining Egypt is free http://yfrog.com/h38khajj

shadysamir Shady Samir
Never saw Egyptians act so inclusive like they did today in Tahrir cleaning or celebrating

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
Thousands are still celebrating in Tahrir and cleaning up http://yfrog.com/h0xm8iej

Cer Mohamed A. Hamama
The cleaning campaign is in all downtown streets not only Tahrir..

RaniaShaaban RaniaMostafaShaaban
If cleaning with soap and dettol isn't enough, they are repainting the pavements now! Yes, Egyptians are the best! +ve energy everywhere :D

forsoothsayer forsoothsayer
Mood in tahrir not that happy. Anger at military's 4th communique. "Nothing has changed".

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
Traffic insane in downtown Cairo but DOZENS of volunteers help regulat flow

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
Some volunteers regulating traffic wearing Tshirts reading 'Today, I was (re)born'

marwame Marwa Elnaggar
The famous lions of Qasr El-Nil Bridge were scrubbed till they shone. Cleaning Tahrir.

ghalyshafik Ghaly Shafik
OK i must be getting crazy. Just came back from Tahrir. I can't stay away from it. I am going now again!

etharkamal Ethar El-Katatney
Fireworks in front of the burnt down NDP headquarters!

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
I told the BBC last night that celebrations in Tahrir will take place all night. I was wrong. 24 hours later and they haven't stopped.

Gsquare86 Gigi Ibrahim
Tahrir square gained us Mubarak to step down, now the real resistance starts in factories, universities, towns, & streets ..level 2

wael Wael Khalil
someone asked me of my concerns over the coming period, I said: none, the Egyptian People will take a good care of the future

RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
Just walked past father trying to get his 5yrold 2 pronounce 'Jan25 Revolution'

Jan25voices Jan25 Voices
LPC: People in Tahrir singing: 'we want a civilian state'

mosaaberizing Mosa'ab Elshamy
I told the BBC last night that celebrations in Tahrir will take place all night. I was wrong. 24 hours later and they haven't stopped.

ghalyshafik Ghaly Shafik
Tahrir now: concerts, fireworks, hundreds of thousands. Never seen egypt like this before