CAIRO: According to former Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al-Gamal, deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered troops to open fire on demonstrators during the country's January 25 Revolution. This decision was a final breaking point that added to the fall of Mubarak. Gamal came forward with “On Air” TV where he explained Mubarak's orders to use military force to stop protesters; the Egyptian Army refused and declined the given orders. During the days of demonstrations, Gamal resigned from his position of Deputy Prime Minister was not directly involved with the demonstrations, but was present for the following demonstration on Friday, January 28. The January 28 protest became known as ‘Friday of Rage'; a pivotal day that many argue was a tipping point in the 18 days of protest that led to Mubarak's ouster. Gamal says he watched the former regime bending to Mubarak's orders and ignoring the wants and needs of the people. The parliamentary elections of 2010 were considered one of the most obvious elections to have tampered results and was another motivation for the country's protests in the early half of 2011, he said. Furthering hostility, Gamal added that Mubarak would use tactics like the emergency law, which was used to suppress opposition and dissent, and became a byword for government abuses of power and human rights violations by state security forces. “There were several means which would have allowed Mubarak to leave power safely, but he was narrow-minded and stubborn, and he had no imagination.” Gamal added. BM
