State-owned newspapers Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar, and Al-Gomhorriya, as well as privately-owned Rose al-Yousseff, lead with similar pieces about President Mubarak's inauguration of the Saft al-Laban corridor yesterday. The Safft al-Laban corridor, which links Cairo and Giza through the Ring Road, is meant to ease traffic flow in greater Cairo. The project is part of Mubarak's initiative to provide services to citizens. During the inauguration ceremony, Mubarak inquired about developments on the third line of the metro, frequent power outages, the Rod al-Farag corridor, and wheat cultivation. President Mubarak stressed the necessity of expanding desalination stations in coastal governorates, stating that Nile water will extend only as far as Arish. Yesterday, Mubarak reopened the Museum of Islamic Art at Bab al-Khalq. The museum had spent LE85 million on renovations over the past eight years. Privately-owned Al-Dostour and Al-Shorouq also reported those stories, but focused on the traffic jam in both Cairo and Giza which occured because the president's travel coincided with the civil servants' commute. Security services had surveyed all buildings that overlook the road taken by the presidential parade. Inhabitants were ordered not to open windows during the time of the visit. Al-Dostour reported on a protest in Alexandria yesterday following the confiscation of five cars belonging to members of the ElBaradei signature-gathering campaign. Clashes between protesters and police resulted in many injuries. In a related context, 11 rights organizations belonging to the Forum of Independent Human Rights Organizations have denounced repressing those who demand guarantees of the integrity of parliamentary and presidential elections. The forum condemned police attacks during the car demonstration staged by ElBaradei supporters. Ahmed Maher, 6th of April Movement coordinator, told Al-Dostour that around 20 activists have been detained since the beginning of Ramadan. Five members were arrested the day before yesterday while gathering signatures for the National Association for Change. Another three where arrested at Abdeen while distributing a Ramadan prayer schedule. All of them were released the following day. Al-Wafd newspaper leads with a story about the hijacked Egyptian ship, the MV Suez. The ship's owner, the Red Sea Navigation Company, has suggested a US$300,000 ransom. The pirates, however, have not announced their demands. Sources said that pirates intend to switch off their radios in order to press for a large ransom of up to one million euros. Sources added that negotiations are ongoing through mediators on how to deliver the money. Privately-owned Al-Shorouk quoted an official source at the Ministry of Electricity who said that al-Negeila, 80 kilometers west of Marsa Matrouh city, has been approved as an additional site for a nuclear energy station for generating electricity, and is thought to be secure because of its location close to the sea. Sources asserted that Dabaa will be licensed by the end of next month. Al-Shorouk also reported a LE5 increase in meat prices during the first three days of Ramadan, making the price of one kilo between LE55 and LE60. In popular areas the meat was sold at LE50 to LE53 per kilo, and in fancier areas prices ranged from LE65 to LE70. An official attributed the price increase to the rising demand during Ramadan. Security forces thwarted a collective iftar for the Tosson residents of Alexandria, who were protesting in front of Ministry of Agriculture, according to Al-Shorouk. Heavy cordons prevented food and drink from reaching the protesters. Egypt's papers: Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run Rose al-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party's Policies Secretariat Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned Al-Shorouq: Daily, privately owned Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party Youm7: Weekly, privately owned Sawt al-Umma: Weekly, privately owned
