New Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf addressed thousands of demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Essam Sharaf once served as Egypt’s transportation minister
- He was a critic of Hosni Mubarak
- He gained popularity after he appeared last month with protesters
Cairo, Egypt (CNN) — Egypt’s new prime minister, Essam Sharaf, appeared before thousands of protesters at Cairo’s Tahrir Square Friday, telling them he was “of the people” and would resign if he failed in meeting their demands.
Sharaf, Egypt’s former transportation minister, was sworn in Friday after the resignation of Ahmed Shafik, the last prime minister tapped by Hosni Mubarak.
A vocal critic of Mubarak, Sharaf earned street credibility after he appeared among the protesters in early February, demanding change.
He was well-received Friday though some saw his appointment as prime minister as a preemptive move by Egypt’s military government to appease protesters who have vowed to air their voices until their demands are met.
They have been calling for the dismantling of the state security apparatus, the release of political prisoners and prosecution of members of the former regime.
Mubarak relinquished power on February 11, following 18 days of uprising.
Part of complete coverage on
From the rebels to the loyalists and leader Moammar Gadhafi, CNN’s Michael Holmes explains the unrest in Libya.
The latest from each country on the unrest that has spread across parts of the Middle East and Africa.
Are you in the Middle East or North Africa? Send iReport your images. Don’t do anything that could put you at risk
Anderson Coooper and Ben Wedeman speak with journalist Fadel Al-Ameen about the opposition organizing in Libya.
One after another, Libya’s myriad tribes are falling in line against Gadhafi, with key implications say analysts.
How ordinary Tunisians are volunteering to help refugees fleeing the unrest in neighboring Libya.
For full coverage in Arabic of events in Egypt, Tunisia and the rest of the region, head to CNN Arabic.
What can Washington and military planners do about the increasingly fluid situation in Libya?
Â
[Read more here|Read the original here|Read more from the original source|Continued here|Read more|More here|View original post here|More|See more here|See original here|Originally posted here|Here is the original post|See the original post|The rest is here|Read the rest here|See the rest here|Go here to read the rest|Go here to see the original|See the original post here|Read the original post|Original post|Read the original|Link|Excerpt from|View post|Visit link|Follow this link|Continue reading here|See the article here|Read this article