EGYPT’S PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED

Egypt’s military leaders on February 13 dissolved Parliament and suspended the constitution, meeting two key demands of protesters who have been keeping up pressure for immediate steps to transition to democratic, civilian rule after forcing Hosni Mubarak out of power. The military rulers, who took over when Mubarak stepped down on February 11, and the caretaker government set as a top priority the restoration of security, which collapsed during the 18 days of protests that toppled the regime. The caretaker government held its first meeting since the president was ousted and before it began, workers removed a giant picture of Mubarak from the meeting room. The protesters had been pressing the ruling military council, led by Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, to immediately move forward with the transition by appointing a presidential council, dissolving the Parliament and releasing political prisoners. “It is a victory for the revolution,” said Ayman Nour, who challenged Mubarak for the presidency in 2005 and was later jailed. “I think this will satisfy the protesters.”