FROM now on, photographers will only be allowed to take pictures inside People's Assembly sessions for just 10 minutes. The decision, taken by PA Speaker Fathi Sorour, came after Al-Wafd, an opposition newspaper, and the independent Al-Masry Al-Yom published two front page photos of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif eating lib (watermelon seeds), the shells of which must be spit out. Joining forces with Sorour, the Council of Ministers also decided to prevent Al-Masry Al-Yom 's photographer from covering the cabinet's meetings and activities, citing security concerns. On Saturday, dozens of newspaper photographers organised a sit-in in front of the Press Syndicate, placing their cameras in the forefront, in protest at Sorour's decision. They said the imposed time limit in the PA was insulting and urged the syndicate to intervene. The number of photographers covering the PA is estimated at 50.
