Mubarak Ally Quits As Egyptian PM (Ahmed Shafiq)

[Purveyor]

CAIRO (AFP) – Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq resigned unexpectedly Thursday, sparking celebrations from protesters who demand a purge of the remnants of ousted president Hosni Mubarak's regime.

The country's military rulers said he would be replaced by Essam Sharaf, a former transport minister who joined the rallies in Cairo's Tahrir Square that led to Mubarak's resignation on February 11.

Strongman Mubarak appointed Shafiq in the dying days of his rule in a bid to quell the protests. Shafiq stayed on as head of a caretaker government under a military council that has run Egypt since Mubarak stood down.

"The Supreme Council of Military Forces announces that it has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq," the council said in a statement, without giving reasons for the move.

Dozens of youth activists who are still camped out in Tahrir Square celebrated after Shafiq's resignation was announced, the state news agency MENA reported.

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/03/03/mubarak-ally-quits-as-egyptian-pm/

[riverwalker]

1. the new PM will take his oath in Tahrir Square

how cool is that ;)

[jwirr]

2. To the people.

:toast: