Internet access has been partially restored in cities across Egypt on Wednesday, Feb. 2 after being disabled for the last five days by Egyptian authorities. The cut-off was in response to mass protests that began on Tuesday, Jan. 25 calling for an end to the 30 year ruling Mubarak government.
At approximately 6 a.m. EST Reuters tweeted a news flash stating that Internet has been restored to Cairo and other cities.
The news came off the back of an announcement from the Egyptian military calling for the demonstrations to end.
A military spokesman told Associated Press: “Your message has arrived, your demands became known...you are capable of bringing normal life to Egypt.”
About 15 minutes later Reuters tweeted a response from the Egyptian opposition calling for protests to continue and for the biggest protest to take place this Friday, Feb. 4, demanding “Mubarak go now,” the same ultimatum date being demanded by protest organisers.
President Mubarak announced on a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Feb. 1 that he will not stand for re-election in September, but will continue as President until then.
Prior to the Internet cut-off protesters had been using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as cell phone messaging (SMS) to communicate and organise the protests.
Though Internet has been restored, Facebook, Twitter and cell phone messaging are still disabled.
At approximately 6 a.m. EST Reuters tweeted a news flash stating that Internet has been restored to Cairo and other cities.
The news came off the back of an announcement from the Egyptian military calling for the demonstrations to end.
A military spokesman told Associated Press: “Your message has arrived, your demands became known...you are capable of bringing normal life to Egypt.”
About 15 minutes later Reuters tweeted a response from the Egyptian opposition calling for protests to continue and for the biggest protest to take place this Friday, Feb. 4, demanding “Mubarak go now,” the same ultimatum date being demanded by protest organisers.
President Mubarak announced on a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Feb. 1 that he will not stand for re-election in September, but will continue as President until then.
Prior to the Internet cut-off protesters had been using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as cell phone messaging (SMS) to communicate and organise the protests.
Though Internet has been restored, Facebook, Twitter and cell phone messaging are still disabled.
