Workers of the Egyptian Metro Company detained Egypt's Minister of Transportation, Ali Zain al-Abidin Heikal, in the subscription office of al-Shohadaa station at Ramsis Square in Cairo on Thursday. Heikal headed to the station to learn the demands raised by the striking workers. The workers chanted against the minister for accepting the resignation of the chairman of Egypt's metro, Mohamed al-Sheemi. Altercations broke out between Sheemi's supporters and the minister, prompting the minister to enter a subscription office. Demonstrators rallied in front of the office, preventing him from leaving. They threatened to disrupt operations on Cairo's two metro lines if the minister refused to meet their demands. The minister told them that Sheemi would remain in his position until January. They refused, insisting on returning him immediately.
