CAIRO: Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and the Egyptian Cabinet of Ministers has filed for the collective resignation, pending approval from the interim ruling military council, as violent conflict in Cairo rages for the third day. However, Egypt's military council has reportedly announced that they will not accept the cabinet resignation until Egyptian political forces decide on a replacement prime minister. “The government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has handed its resignation to the (ruling) Supreme Council of the Armed Forces,” said cabinet spokesman Mohammed Hegazy. “Owing to the difficult circumstances the country is going through, the government will continue working,” he continued. Egyptian security forces and protesters have battled fiercely over the last three days in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which served as the epicenter of the anti-government uprisings that toppled the government of former President Hosni Mubark earlier this year. 33 have been confirmed dead, and nearly 2,000 are injured as the state offensive on the demonstrators continues. Conflict in the square has intensified through Monday night despite the announcement, as Egyptian continue to call upon the ruling military council to cede power to a civilian-led “government of national salvation,” to oversee upcoming elections and political transition. Activists and political parties have called upon Egyptian citizens to report to Tahrir Square tomorrow in a “million man march” against the ruling military government, as fears rise that the military has no intention to hand over power. Cabinet spokesperson Mohammed Hegazy implored Egyptians to exercise restraint in order “to restore order to the country and to enable it to take the first step towards democracy by concluding parliamentary elections.” Egypt's first elections since the fall of the Mubarak government are set to take place on November 28. BM
