Clashes in Suez. Protests spread

Cairo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Anti-Mubarak activists clashed this morning in the city of Saida ahead of more demonstrations today, after Friday prayers. Thousands of people have decided to take to the streets to demand the expulsion of the Egyptian president and end his 30 years of dominant rule.

Demonstrations in Egypt, started on January 25, mirroring those in Tunisia, where after one month, people deposed leader Ben Ali. So far, the riots have had a secular character, protesting the cost of living and the domination of Mubarak. But yesterday, the Muslim Brotherhood joined the protests and have planned their presence in the demonstrations later today. In the night at least eight members of the fundamentalist party were arrested.

According to the demonstrators, the police are hampering communication lines via internet and mobile phones, but the government denies this.

Mohammed El Baradei, Nobel Peace Laureate, returned to Egypt from Vienna yesterday and plans to be present at today’s protest. El Baradei is offering himself as a candidate for president and has asked Mubarak to resign. According to the Nobel Prize Winner, Mubarak's government exploits the Islamist opposition in order to justify his authoritarian style.

As in many countries of the Middle East, the Egyptians are frustrated by rising prices, unemployment, and their leaders' authoritarianism, who have become dynastic rulers. Two-thirds of Egyptians are under 30 years and many of them are jobless. About 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.