In Egypt Protesters, Government Dig In

Elizabeth Arrott | Cairo  February 09, 2011

Photo: AP Photo/Ahmed Ali

Anti-government protesters hold an Egyptian flag during demonstrations in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, February 8, 2011

Cairo's Tahrir Square is quieter Wednesday morning, but the tens of thousands people who made their way to the center of anti-government protests the day before seem to have breathed new life into a movement now in its third week.

A core group of demonstrators continue to hold the center of Tahrir Square - their make-shift camp taking on a more solid, organized appearance as the days go by.

But their digging in is being matched by the government they seek to oust.   After massive crowds turned out Tuesday, Egypt's Vice President Omar Suleiman  said again that President Hosni Mubarak is not going to step down.  Suleiman warned the only alternative to the dialogue underway with some opposition groups is a military coup.

But it is the military aspect of the current government, which has imposed 30 years of emergency law,  along with alleged corruption, stagnation and host of other factors, that has galvanized the protesters.    

The United States has also weighed in, calling for the law's immediate repeal.  Over the decades, and in particular during the demonstrations,  the emergency legislation has allowed for arbitrary arrest, detention  and alleged torture - something that, in the past, left many government opponents afraid to speak out.

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