New Egyptian PM Designate Addresses Protesters
Egyptian PM-designate Essam Sharaf, with microphone, speaks to demonstrators in Tahrir Square in Cairo, March 4 2011
Egypt＇s new prime minister-designate, Essam Sharaf, has told crowds in Cairo＇s Tahrir (Liberation) Square that he wants to see that Egypt becomes a country where the security forces work for the good of the citizens.
Sharaf gave a short speech in the square, where large crowds have been gathering each Friday to call for political and economic reform.
Sharaf said he is working to meet the people＇s demands and prays he is deserving of his new post. He closed by repeating the protesters＇ slogan, "Raise your head up, you are Egyptian!"
Eighteen days of political protests led to President Hosni Mubarak＇s resignation last month. Since then, activists have gathered on Fridays to press for progress on reforms.
Thursday the military, which has assumed temporary control of the government, appointed Sharaf as prime minister just hours after his predecessor Ahmed Shafiq stepped down. A statement from the military said Sharaf has been asked to form a caretaker government.
The former prime minister＇s resignation was a key demand of anti-government protesters.
The new Prime Minister, Sharaf, served in Mubarak＇s cabinet for 18 months in 2004 and 2005 and is viewed as one of the few officials with significant government experience but untainted by ties to the ousted regime.
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