Since the army issued its 48-hour ultimatum, a total of six ministers have resigned. Mohamed Kamel Amr, the Minister of Foreign Affairs resigned overnight. 

 

For a third consecutive day, Tahrir and Itihadiya filled up with protesters. Although it was significantly quieter than Sunday and Monday, large numbers of people started flooding in again after sunset. We were at Tahrir this afternoon, where the mood was very festive. Army choppers continued to circle above Tahrir to the loud cheers of the people. Despite the safe and jubilant atmosphere wer sensed at Tahrir this afternoon, as it gets later in the night, more and more cases of sexual harassment are being reported. 

 

Large marches were headed to Quba Palace, where President Mursi is allegedly staying. 

 

At 19:30 this evening, the Defence Minister and chief of armed forces Abdel Fatah al-Sisi asked President Mursi to step down to save lives. President Mursi has not directly responded.

 

In the last few hours, clashes have broken out throughout the Giza governorate (Kitkat Square and Cairo University). ONtv reported that four people have died in Kitkat as a result of gunshot wounds. Wall Street Journal’s correspondent Matt Bradley reported that four people died at Cairo University during clashes this evening. Clashes are on going. 

 

 

There are a little over 18 hours left before the army’s ultimatum runs out. So far, President Mursi has just given a statement through Twitter, that he will hold on to constitutional legitimacy and has asked the armed forces to withdraw its ultimatum. Judging by the mood of anti-Mursi protesters in Tahrir however, the people seem fairly convinced that this will happen any day.  

 

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please visit www.arabwestreport.tumblr.com

 

 

Eline Kasanwidjojo and Quinta Smit