Egypt Emergency Law Finally Lifted on Jan 25 Anniversary

Egyptian protesters practicing their right to assemble in Tahrir Square preparation for Jan 25 anniversary.

Egypt's military ruler said yesterday that the decades-old state of emergency will be lifted today, the first anniversary of the uprising that brought down president Hosni Mubarak.

"I have taken a decision to end the state of emergency starting on the morning of January 25, 2012," Field Marshal Hussain Tantawi said in a televised address.

Egyptians will take to the streets and flood Tahrir Square on the January 25 Revolution anniversary today. While the military ruling council has declared today to be a national celebration day, many Egyptians, who remain sceptical of the military council's agenda say it will be the day to launch a "second revolution".

Seeking justice

Speaking to Gulf News, Ahmad Maher, co-founder of the April 6 youth movement said that despotism was still very much in place.

"The killers of the revolutionaries have not been brought to justice. The billions of money stashed away in overseas banks by the former regime have not been retrieved," he said. "The people do not feel that real change has been made."

The April 6 youth movement accuses the military of dragging its feet on punishing Mubarak and his aides.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which emerged victorious in the post-revolution elections, said the revolution should not be "marred" by demonstrations against the military.

The Brotherhood has been accused by many Egyptians of cutting deals with the ruling council.

Maher said the youth "lacked political experience" which resulted in their marginalisation during elections. Maher predicts that the Brotherhood and military council will "lock horns" over the formation of the constituent assembly.

By Ramadan Al Sherbini