The government says it will stop the demolition of illegal buildings in the Nasr City district of Ezbet el-Haggana until a committee of architecture experts decides on the buildings' suitability for use. The government's decision comes after recommendations by a joint commission composed of the Local Administration and Housing Committees of the People's Assembly. One person died and 26 were injured last week when police clashed with residents in Ezbet el-Haggana who were protesting the demolition of their apartments. People's Assembly Speaker Fathi Sorour, who convened the joint commission of the Local Administration and Housing Committees, said that State Minister for Legal Affairs Mufid Shehab, and Budget Committee Chairman Ahmed Ezz will both join the commission. Mowawad Khattab, a member of the Shura Council, said that officials from Nasr City's local council should be held accountable for failing to prevent construction that breached building regulations, without which, he says, there would be no clashes between citizens and authorities. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
