Essam Sharaf, Egypt's newly appointed Prime Minister is expected to join protesters on Tahrir Square today. It was announced on the official website of Sharaf's new government that he plans to join the protest, after being sent an invitation by the January 25 Youth Revolution to join their demonstration on Cairo's main intersection. Sharaf also congratulated the youth on the success of the January 25 revolution and assured them that he will fully meet their demands. Yesterday evening, Sharaf met with many of the youth who participated in the revolution, including members of the coalition. The group discussed the importance of opening dialogue between civil society groups, human rights organizations, the establishment of political reform, transparent elections and the importance of holding meetings with various unions and syndicates to understand the needs of the Egyptian people. Before Ahmed Shafik stepped down as Prime Minster yesterday, the coalition had planned a huge protest on Tahrir Square for what they called the “Friday of Determination,” in which they would continue their calls for Shafik to step down and for the rest of the revolution's demands to be met. However, when the Supreme Council of Armed Forces announced that Shafik had resigned, the group decided to stage celebrations on Tahrir instead, changing the name to “Oath of office Friday,” and asked Sharaf to join them and take the oath of office publicly.
