The presence of deposed president Hosni Mubarak in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh is “suspicious” and represents the “biggest threat to the revolution," according to a committee of young activists. At a press conference today, the group said that it wanted to “put an end” to Mubarak's sojourn in Sharm. It also demanded the removal of Ahmad Shafiq as prime minister, a “purge” of government ministries and the sacking of Egypt's public prosecutor. The group, dubbed "the Popular Coordination Committee for the 25 January Revolution," groups together six activist movements, including the 6 April youth movement, the Muslim Brotherhood's youth wing and the Democratic Front Party (DFP)'s youth wing. But it remains unclear exactly who the group speaks for. Members of 6 April and the DFP youth, for example, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the committee did not speak on their behalf. In its press statement, the committee said that the Egyptian people were the “only sovereign power in the country." It added: “We urge the Egyptian army, after it has protected the people's blood and the country's security during this great revolution…to speedily realize the people's demands.” Other demands include purging Egyptian universities of deans who had dismissed politically-active students, an investigation into allegations that Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit had destroyed incriminating documents, and the “speedy formation” of a new government. The committee also called for another demonstration on Friday--a “Friday of Salvation”--to draw attention to their outstanding grievances. “We want the formation of an independent national government composed of technocrats to achieve stability and security for the people and the country,” the committee stated. The group's demands resonate with other opposition movements, which complain that the Mubarak regime still remains intact given the prevalence of Mubarak-appointed ministers in the current cabinet.
