The Flames of Rebellion

50,000 gather at Tahrir Square

Protesters appear in their highest numbers since the start of the rebellion in only one day after President Mubarak called police off the streets. Mubarak has now ordered police to take to the streets again on the 7th day of protests for fears of looting and 'mob violence'.

Today is set to be another strong day of rebellion after demonstrators called for a massive protest after their Monday prayers to honor those fallen over the last week of civil unrest. In an attempt to calm those taking to the streets Egyptian news networks have been regularly airing a message sent from the president to the Egyptian Prime Minister in which he states the importance of making political reform through dialogue and suggested new economic policies to bring down the massive unemployment rates, which is thought to be the initial issue that sparked the rebellion.

Yesterday marked record high numbers of civilian protest within Egypt with over 50,000 protesters gathering in Tahrir Square alone. In response to this, the Egyptian government has ordered regular fly-overs by the Egyptian air force as a show of force on top of the tanks and military already present, however this show of force is having no apparent effect on the demonstrations moral.

Barack Obama

Outside of Egypt more and more problems are arising because of the week long protests, New Zealand has joined the U.S, China, Japan, Britain and France in advising citizens to avoid all non-essential travel both to and through Egypt; this will only add to Egypt's economic problems as tourism accounts for up to 6% of the country's GDP. Japanese car makers Nissan have also closed down their Egyptian  plant fearing for the safety of their non-Egyptian employee's, which is sure to add the anxiety caused by unemployment.

The White House has finally taken a stance against the protests after days of trying to remain unbiased. US President Barack Obama was reported making various calls to Arab higher-ups such as King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and other world leaders such as British Prime Minister David Cameron. Another of Egypt's close allies, China, have released a statement saying  "Egypt is a friend of China's, and we hope social stability and order will return to Egypt as soon as possible"

- Are things set to get worse?
- Is there anyway to resolve this situation without the removal of President Mubarak?
- Who can step up to lead the country if the protesters get their way as the rebellion still has no official leader?