EGYPT: Banks around Tahrir Square remain closed as anti-government protests continue
Record ID:
560174
EGYPT: Banks around Tahrir Square remain closed as anti-government protests continue
- Title: EGYPT: Banks around Tahrir Square remain closed as anti-government protests continue
- Date: 7th February 2011
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (FEBRUARY 6, 2011) (REUTERS) WIDE OF CLOSED NSGB BANK CLOSE OF SIGN READING NSGB: NATIONAL SOCIETE GENERALE BANK VARIOUS OF BARRICADES OUTSIDE TAHRIR SQUARE/ BANK CLOSE OF SIGN ON POLE READING: NSGB CLOSED GATES OF FRANCISCAN SCHOOL CLOSE OF SIGN READING IN ARABIC: 'FRANCISCAN SCHOOL' (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WAGIH ABDEL SALAM, PROTESTER, SAYING: "God willing, I am with the revolution to the last day - whether this is at the expense of my children, at the expense of my home, at the expense of my work - I say no, life can come to a standstill until change and justice comes." PEOPLE BEING CHECKED FOR ID BEHIND BARRICADES CLOSED 'TRANSPORT & ENGINEERING CO.' BUILDING CLOSE OF PADLOCK USED TO LOCK SHOPS METAL SHUTTERS VARIOUS OF CLOSED AHLI UNITED BANK WIDE OF PROTESTERS IN TAHRIR SQUARE PROTESTERS CHANTING, WAVING EGYPTIAN FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AHMED RIFAEE, PROTESTER, SAYING: "Life is not going to resume again until the regime leaves and on top of the regime, Mubarak. He has to leave because he's the reason the country is in a terrible case now." MOCK COFFIN BEING CARRIED THROUGH THE CROWDS MOCK COFFIN WITH WRITING ON IT BEING CARRIED THROUGH CROWDS, READING IN ARABIC: 'CONDOLENCES ACCEPTED IN TEL AVIV'
- Embargoed: 22nd February 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt, Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Finance,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA3NAWQ3UE4P2QRPSQF2EJALWS1
- Story Text: Anti-Mubarak protesters stood firm in Tahrir Square for the 13th day on Sunday (February 6), with banks nearby staying shut as the political crisis rumbles on.
The Egyptian capital has been at a standstill for nearly two weeks. On Sunday, the start of the Egyptian working week, more traffic was on the streets and banks and schools were temporarily opened in the city - but not in Tahrir Square.
Banks stayed shut and children who attend the Franciscan school on the outskirts of the Square were still not going to class.
Protesters and those who support them are not moving till Mubarak stands down, they say.
"God willing, I am with the revolution to the last day- whether this is at the expense of my children, at the expense of my home, at the expense of my work - I say no, life can come to a standstill until change and justice comes," says Wagih Abdel Salam.
Others in the square say the same thing. Ahmed Rifa'ee, is not interested in normalcy resuming in the capital - for Rifa'ee an end to the regime is the only answer.
"Life is not going to resume again until the regime leaves and on top of the regime, Mubarak. He has to leave because he's the reason the country is in a terrible case now," he says.
But many Egyptians, even some who joined widespread nationwide demonstrations to end the 30-year rule of Mubarak, say they want a return to normal life.
Many shops have been closed during 12 days of protests and banks have been shut, making it hard for Egyptians to stock up on basic goods. Some prices have been pushed up, and economic growth, which was running at 6 percent, is expected to suffer.
Trading reopened on Sunday with the Egyptian pound opening weaker against the U.S. dollar.
The pound was trading at around 5.915 to the dollar compared with 5.855 when banks were last open on January 25, traders said.
Bankers were braced for chaos in dealing rooms with foreign investors and local businessmen fleeing the Egyptian pound <EGP=> after the street protests paralysed much of the economy and dried up important sources of foreign exchange.
Around 400 million Egyptian pounds had traded in the first 45 minutes, compared with 300 to 400 million pounds for a full day before the crisis, one trader said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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