Revolution Isn’t Easy: Egypt Struggles For Democracy

Elections starting Nov. 28 will determine the makeup of the national assembly and set the stage for a new democratic government.

But protesters want to quicken the pace of presidential elections and say the military's reaction to their demonstrations is reminiscent of the brutal tactics that Hosni Mubarak used to maintain control for 30 years, including jailing journalists and political opposition leaders.

Protests in Tahrir Square

	Egyptian authorities hoped that the protesters would exhaust themselves and go home, but they have not.

On Tuesday the ruling military council agreed to name a new civilian cabinet and speed up transition to civilian rule, with a new constitution and a presidential election no later than June 2012.

The deal is meant to calm the huge crowds of protestors who have returned daily to Tahrir Square. 

At least 22 people had been killed in 48 hours of battles between armed security forces and rock-throwing demonstrators. But the death toll could rise.

Protesters are wearing green face masks to try to filter the tear gas fired by the military police.

Young people are dissatisfied with Egypt’s direction

	On October 7, 2005, ElBaradei and the IAEA were announced as joint recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize for their "efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy, for peaceful purposes, is used in the safest possible way." ElBaradei donated all of his winnings to building orphanages in Cairo.

The Revolutionary Youth Coalition, a group of pro democracy organizations that was launched from Tahrir Square during Egypt’s February 2011 uprising, called for a “million-man march” on Tuesday.

The coalition is calling for the immediate resignation of the military-controlled caretaker government and for the generals in charge to hand power to a national unity government led by Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.  

ElBaradei has been in talks with the military leadership, said Shady Ghazali Harb, a leading member of the coalition.

“This million-man march will gain momentum, and we hope that the demands will be accomplished,” Harb said, reported the Washington Post.

'Nothing changed for the better'

	Reports say young men on motorcycles careered through crowds, honking their horns, as they headed to the clashes with the police. Youths caught their breath on the curbs. Some were bandaged; the eyes of others were bloodshot from tear gas.

“We are not clearing the square until there is a national salvation government that is representative and has full responsibility," said activist Rami Shaat, according to the Associated Press.

Repeated attempts to clear the protesters from Tahrir Square have failed, and a rising death toll has only outraged protesters. The demonstrations have spread to other cities around the country, including the coastal city of Alexandria, where one of the deaths took place.

"I will keep coming back until they kill me," said activist Mohammed Sayyed, quoted the AP. "The people are frustrated. Nothing changed for the better."