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News Coverage

prepared for: The European Union delegation

to Egypt

Disclaimer:

“This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The

contents of this document are the sole responsibility of authors of articles and under no

circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of IPSOS or the European Union.”

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Thematic Headlines

Domestic Scene

Abu Al-Nagga Says: SCAF Head will Assign the Government FJP to Withdraw Confidence from Al-Ganzory Military Court Pronounces Verdict in Murdering Military Officer Nabil el-Arabi Denies Running for President MB Member Makes “Informal” Visit to Qatar L.E. 120 Million to Face the Rail Employees Sit-in Details of the NGOs Case to be Revealed Mussa Promises to End the “Pharaohs’” System Abu al-Futouh Promised the Youth of Job Opportunities Sbbahi Advocates a Revolutionary President Al-Silmi Expects the Army Intervention Al-Gheriani: I Did Not Think of Running for Presidency

Fouda, Al-Aswani, Ishak and Ghoneim Referred to Military Court Administrative Court Eliminates Decision to Refer Thugs to Military Prosecution Important Decisions Taken by Cabinet of Ministers Foreign Suspects Travel: A Slap in the Face for Egypt

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Newspapers (08/03/2012)

Page: 3 Author: Hani Imarah

L.E. 120 Million to Face the Rail Employees’ Sit-in

Head of the Rail System Hani Hijab reported on the Mniistry of Finance intention to spend L.E. 120 million to pay for the employees who had been staging sit-ins over the past few days.

Hundreds of workers at the Rail Department demonstrated before yesterday to protest their bad financial conditions.

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Page: 5 Author: Sana Abd al-Ati and Nagui al-Girgawi

Details of the NGOs Case to be Revealed

Judge Muhammad Ead Salim, secretary general of the General Judicial Council said that

the investigation into the NGOs case and the lift of the ban of travel imposed on the foreign

suspects in the NGOs case.

Salim called on the media to stop focusing on the issue.

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Page: 5 Author: Jamal Abu al-Dahab

Mussa Promises to End the Pharaohs’ System

Potential Presidential Candidate Amr Moussa, former secretary general of the Arab

League promised to realize three main goals if he were elected president. The main goal is to

end the “pharaoh’s system” represented in the dictatorship.

He would establish a democratic system.

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Page: 5 Author: Mustafa al-Mileji and Ingie al-Batriq

Sbbahi Advocates a Revolutionary President

Potential Presidential Candidate Hamadain Sabbashi was invited to a forum at the diplomatic Club. Sabbahi presented his electoral program.

Sabbahi stressed the importance of electing a president who belongs to the revolution and adopts its goals and principles.

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Page: 5 Author: Sameh Lachine and Sameh Siddiq

Abu al-Futouh Promised the Youth of Job Opportunities

Dr. Abd al-Munim Abu al-Futouh promised to grant the youth and women 40 % of the

job opportunities.

Abu al-Futouh statements were in a forum held at the National Council for the Youth.

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Page: 1 Author: Mohsen Samika, Emad Khalil, Hani el-Waziri and Ghada Mohamed el-Sherif

MB Leader Visits Pope in Cathedral for First Time

The Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Group Mohamed Badea visited

Patriarch of the Sea of Saint Mark Pope Shenouda III at the Cathedral on Wednesday.

It is the first time in the history of the MB since its establishment such a visit takes place.

Badea was inquiring after the health of the pope, who underwent a spinal surgery

recently.

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Page: 3 Author: Nagi Abdel-Aziz

MB Member Makes “Informal” Visit of Qatar

The deputy of the supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood group Khayrat el-Shater made an “informal” visit of Qatar three days ago, where he met with high-level officials, Al-Masry Al-Yom learned.

During his stay, Shater met with Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem, MB official sources said.

Sources said that Shater had said his visit was in response to an invitation from the Qatari side.

Shater had discussed with the Qatari officials aid to Egypt, especially after the developments of the NGOs case, sources, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

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Page: 3.

Authors: Mohamed Fathallah and Gehan Hassan.

Important Decisions Taken by Cabinet of Ministers

Cabinet of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Kamal El-Ganzouri, held a meeting

yesterday and issued a number of important decisions.

The cabinet ratified the draft law which organizes medical insurance given to women

supporting their families. The cabinet also took a number of decisions in projects related to

sanitation, sugar factories, and petro-chemical works.

The cabinet discussed the impact of cutting subsidies to the industries relying on

extensive use of energy such as ceramics and iron factories.

Also, the cabinet agreed on a draft law which aims to establish a national council for the

handicapped to provide support and services to over 12 million handicapped.

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Page: 8.

Authors: Ra’fat Hassouna, Safwat Omran (and others).

Foreign Suspects Travel: A Slap in the Face for Egypt

The decision to release US suspects, who are accused in the NGOs case, evoked great

anger in the Egyptian society. Many political parties and forces demanded trying all those who

were involved in this deal.

Dr. Ashraf Balba’, political advisor to Al-Wafd Party, confirmed that allowing US

suspects to travel to their country was not necessarily a deal but an indicator to the state of

confusion which characterizes the entire transitional period.

Sameh Rashed, political analyst, said SCAF and Minister of International Cooperation

Fayza Aboul Naga are responsible for this case. He criticized ignoring the public opinion and

lack of transparency after the revolution. Releasing suspects could have been done away from

the judicial system, which was undermined to a great extent, he stressed.

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Page: 1

Author: Abd El-Rahman Abu Ouf

Islamists Disagree Over Coalition Government

News reporting that MB is discussing the formation of a coalition government that includes all parliamentary political forces surfaced after FJP, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, commenced the procedures of withdrawing confidence from El-Ganzouri’s government.

Al-Gama’a Al-Islamiyah is willing to join this government only if it is formed after the transitional period transitional, said Aboud El-Zomor, member of Al-Gama’a Shura Council.

Al-Nour and Al-Asala parties lean towards giving the interim government the chance to continue in office until June.

Talaat Marzou’, member of Al-Nour’s Parliamentary committee, denied any negotiations with the MB regarding the formation of a coalition government. He added that the party’s final stance would be announced on Sunday through the response of Sayed Mostafa, head of Al-Nour’s parliamentary bloc, to the government’s statement before the People’s Assembly.

Similar news was reported in Shorouk page 3

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Page: 4

Author: Kareem Alham

Aboul-Fotouh: No Immunity for Those Who Killed Egyptians

Potential presidential candidate Abd El-Moneim Abul-Fotouh stated that the military council will return to its barracks after the end of the transitional period to end its political role completely.

He assured that no immunity would protect anyone who participated in killing Egyptians.

He stated that the NGOs case was merely a political charade that held no meaning and was totally unjustified.

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Page: 3 Author: Ismail Al-Waseimi.

Administrative Court Eliminates Decision to Refer Thugs to Military Prosecution

“No civilian should be tried before military courts even if they were accused of committing acts of thuggery,” this was the decision issued by the Supreme Administrative Court yesterday. The Administrative Court overruled Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi’s decree according to which thugs were referred to military prosecution.

The court justified its decision by saying that referring civilians to military courts, based

on Article 48 of the Code of Military Justice, represents a threat to their right to be tried before a civilian court.

The court explained that the decree cannot be justified because the military court will be

both the judge and the opponent at the same time. Also, Tantawi’s decree violates the Egyptian Constitution which gives citizens the right to stand before civilian courts.

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Page: 1 Author: Ismail Al-Waseimi

Fouda, Al-Aswani, Ishak and Ghoneim Referred to Military Court

Every day more political activists and intellectuals are referred to military or civilian

courts under the pretexts of incitement, insulting the military institution and creating strife. Public Prosecution referred the complaints filed by 712 persons against 14 political and

media figures to military prosecution. A judicial source, who preferred not to be named, revealed that complaints include

charges of incitement to dismantle the state, insult the army and the military council, and create strife. The complaint said that those figures contributed in tarnishing Egypt’s image by publishing false news in their TV programs or in newspapers.

The 14 persons facing charges include revolutionary figures such as: Yosri Fouda, Alaa

Al-Aswani, Zeyad Al-Eleimy, George Ishak, Wael Ghoneim, Asmaa Mahfouz and many others. The source confirmed that the complaints are being examined by the military

prosecution and investigation will begin within the next few days. The question now is: Will the military prosecution put these complaints into effect and

open a gate of hell on the freedom of opinion and expression? Or will they decide not to press charges because these are rhetorical complaints not supported by any evidence?

Similar news was reported in: Al-Masry Al-Youm: Page 5; Youm 7: Page 1.

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Pages: 1, 4. Authors: Eman Abd Al-Moneim, Hisham Al-Meyani (and others).

Al-Gheriani: I Did Not Think of Running for Presidency

Rumors spread about Islamists giving their support to Head of the Supreme Judicial

Council Senior Judge Hossam Al-Gheriani in the presidential race. In special statements given to Al-Tahrir newspaper, Al-Gheriani denied these rumors

confirming that “this is his personal decision and no one will pressure me to accept or reject it.” Al-Gheriani said the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis are free to choose their preferred

presidential candidate and that he personally did not think about this issue yet. Some judicial sources revealed that a number of senior judges close to Al-Gheriani met

him yesterday to discuss this issue. They demanded him to accept running for presidency particularly because Islamists’ support for him will increase his chances of winning elections. These sources confirmed that discussions are ongoing to convince Al-Gheriani of running for presidency.

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Page: 1

Author: Hatem El-Hagmy

Policeman Facing Death Sentence Exonerated Of Killing Protesters

Cairo's criminal court has cleared low-ranking policeman Ibrahim Abdel-Monem, also known as Mohmamed El-Sunni, as well as Officers Alaa Abdel Razak and Hazem El-Kholy, of murder and attempted murder during the January Revolution.

They were accused of killing two protesters and attempting to murder two more during the height of the revolution on 28 January 2011, which is known as the Friday of Rage.

Last June El-Sunni faced the death sentence in another case that saw him convicted of killing 18 protesters at Al-Zawia Al-Hamra police station, also on the Friday of Rage.

Similar news was reported in Dostour page 3; Youm7 page1.

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Page: 1

Author: Mostafa Hashem

PA Did Not Receive El-Balkimi’s Resignation

People’s Assembly Deputy and member of Al-Nour party’s parliamentary committee, Ashraf Thabet, stated that the Council is yet to receive Anwar El-Balkimi’s resignation.

Al-Nour party has announced in an official statement that El-Balkimi has submitted his resignation from both the party and the People’s Assembly after lying about a nose job he had.

Thabet added that the party had no hand in El-Balkimi’s resignation from the PA; however, he was dismissed from the party.

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Page: 3

Author: Mohamed Saad, Mostafa Hashem, Doha El-Gendy, Mohamed Khayal, and Ahmed

Adly

Another Potential Presidential Candidate

After numerous conflicting reports over where he stands from the presidential elections, Mansour Hassan, Advisory Council chief, had finally announced joining the presidential race.

Shorouk newspaper reported him saying that a number of fundamental political forces and revolutionary coalitions support him. He is going to announce his presidential program within days.

Following reports that the Islamic current, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, is attempting to convince Head of the Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) Justice Hossam Al-Gheryany to run for presidency, sources close to Al-Gheryany told the newspaper that the judge has not reached a decision yet.

Similar news was reported in Dostour page 1; Youm7 page1.

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Page: 4

Author: Reham Saoud

April 6: Al-Azhar Document a Constitutional Guideline

The April 6 Youth Movement (Ahmed Maher’s Front) demanded that the document

issued by Al-Azhar is used as a guideline for drafting the constitution. The movement

considered Al-Azhar the only neutral religious institution that carries no political agenda.

“The Constituent Assembly concerned with drafting the constitution should represent

all hues of the political spectrum and society classes,” said the movement’s statement yesterday.

Al-Azhar document has encompassed a number of principles, such as supporting the

establishment of the modern democratic constitutional national state, which relies on a

constitution accepted by all.

Similar news was reported in youm7 page 1

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Page: 4

Author: Zeyad Hassam

Authorities Ban Travel 37 Copts Over Political Asylum Italy

Cairo’s Airport security authorities banned the travel of 37 Copts yesterday who were on their way to Italy for political asylum. They claimed they were heading there for being religiously persecuted in Upper Egypt.

Egyptian authorities barred them from traveling after the Italian authorities’ refusal to receive more Egyptian citizens over political asylum.

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Page: 5

Author: Mohamed basal

Abd El-Moez Ibrahim to Remain in His Post

Sources inside the Supreme Presidential Elections Commission stated that allegations that member Abd El-Moez Ibrahim, head of Cairo’s Appeals Court, had attempted to affect the court examining the NGOs case are totally baseless.

Article 28 of the constitutional declaration states that the head of the Appeals Court must be a member in the Presidential Elections Commission. This makes it impossible to realize demands of dismissing him from the commission.

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Pages: 1 Author: Ehsan Al-Sayed

FJP to Withdraw Confidence from Al-Ganzory’s Government

Al-Yoom 7 Newspaper reported that a number of Freedom and Justice Party members are urging People’s Assembly MPs to withdraw confidence from Kamal Al-Ganzory’s government within 72 hours.

Some FJP members said withdrawing confidence from the government cannot a unilateral decision, even by the party that constitutes the Parliamentary majority.

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Pages: 1 Author: Dandarawy Al-Hawary

Military Court Pronounces Verdict on Military Officer Murder

An Egyptian Military Court sentenced two men to death for the murder of military officer Ahmed Samir on February 7th, 2011 in Itfeh.

Three others received life sentences, and two more were jailed for 15 years each; eight others were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, while nine were set free.

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Pages: 1 Author: Mohamed Al-Galy

Abu Al-Nagga: SCAF Head to Assign Government

Minister of International Cooperation, Fayza Abu Al-Nagga said the constitutional declaration states that the Head of SCAF is the only one entitled to appoint the new Prime Minister.

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Page: 1 Author: Adil al-Sanhouri

Al-Silmi Expects the Army Intervention

Al-Yom al-Sabei reported on the different options being discussed by SCAF to resolve the conflicts about the foundation of the Constituent assembly that wills be assigned to draft the Constitution.

There are public fears of Islamists’ dominance in the assembly after the parliament suggestion to choose 40-60 % of the assembly members from the parliament.

Dr. Ali al-Silmi who set the so-called the Silmi document; which is a document of constitutional principles, expected the Armed Forces intervention in the issue to preserve the nation’s stability.

Al-Silmi said the current plan to form the assembly implies an Islamist dominance.

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Page: 6 Author: Ahmed Magdi

Nabil el-Arabi Denies Running for President

Arab League Secretary General Nabil el-Arabi denied he plans to run in the presidential elections despite reports surfacing that he was a consensus candidate.

Arabi deemed the reports as baseless.

He made the statements following a meeting with Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr Kamel, during which they tackled the latest Arab and regional developments.

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TV Coverage (07/03/2012)

Program: Al-Hayat Al-An Channel: Al-Hayat Host: Maha Bahnasy

Advisory Council members deny their council was dissolved and said they will discuss the NGOs case.

Presidential Elections Commission holds its last meeting in the premises of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Aboul Naga: According to the constitution, the Parliament can’t withdraw confidence from the government.

Program: Lazem Nefham Channel: CBC Host: Magdy Al-Galad

Mansour Hassan decides to run for presidency.

News Channel 1”State TV”

Regarding the NGOs case: Cairo’s Criminal Court begins today the trial of the NGO suspects. 3:00 AM

Presidential Elections Commission said citizens will vote in the presidential elections on May 23 and 24. 3:00 AM

Cabinet holds a meeting to discuss the security and economic situations in the country. 5:00 PM

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Program: Yes’ed Sabahak Channel 2”State TV” Host: Hend Rashad and Yasser Abdel-Hakim.

Field Marshal Tantawi: Egypt is heading towards democracy and we have now a legislative institution elected by the citizens.

Supreme Judicial Council decides to open an investigation in the NGOs case.

The court which examined the NGOs case: Decision to lift the travel ban on US suspects is legal.

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Links

http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/CBC-20120307-210627-215020.rar http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/CH1-20120307-270053-270550.rar http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/CH2-20120307-080808-082350.rar http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/EL%20HAYAH%20TV-20120307-180058-180925.rar http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/EL%20HAYAH%20TV-20120307-195517-201317.rar

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Radio Coverage 07/03/2012)

News Channel: Radio Time: 25:00:00

Presidential Elections Commissions said that presidential elections will be held on May 23 and 24, 2012.

Al-Wafd Party will support Head of the Advisory Council Mansour Hassan in the presidential race.

Channel: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Time: 16:00:00

Presidential Elections Commission launches a website.

News Channel: State Radio Time: 9:00 AM

Cabinet holds a meeting to discuss the country’s current economic and security situation.

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Links

http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/AL%20SHARQ%20AL%20AWSAT

-20120307-160133-160219.rar

http://admin.home.ipsos2012.operaunite.com/file_sharing/content/RADIO%20MASR-20120307-

250100-250242.rar

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Internet Coverage (08/03/2012)

Facebook Egyptian cabinet

The Supreme Presidential Elections Commission: The Commission has ratified the criteria for the approvals of presidential candidates in the coming elections submitted by citizens at the Notary Public. It has also approved the procedures and regulations of Egyptian expatriates, in addition to the procedures of campaign funding and silence period regulations. The silence period will last until the beginning of the publicity period that lasts April30-May 20.

Twitter @AsmaaMahfouz

Details of the case: ‎http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K24H1XXdRFM&feature=youtube_gdata_player‏

I am traveling to a conference in Berlin. I will be speaking about the Arab Spring and its role in changing the world.

I am really furious over the court’s sentence issued against me.

@Gsquare86

“Leon Trotsky http://flic.kr/p/bAPA1K”

“Happy #March8 RT @UberFacts: Women have twice as many pain receptors on their bodies than men. But, a much higher pain tolerance.”

International Women’s Day.. Day of the working class women: http://www.e-socialists.net/node/8405‏ ‎#EgyWomen‏ ‎#RevSoc‏ ‎#March8‏

Revolution continues.

With every decision to acquit a killer, the revolution grows stronger and we become more determined to gain retribution for the blood of our martyrs. Glory to the revolutionaries!

Long lives the struggle of GUC students and down with all the corrupt people! ‎#GUCStrike

@iyad_elbaghdadi

“Everyone #FF to @Khaled_Aljabri who is now the illustrator of the#ArabTyrantManual ;)”

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“The #ArabTyrantManual mantra formula: "[Deity] [Tyrant] [Country] only!" Sample expansion: "Allah, Muammar, Libya wa bas!"”

“The absolute first thing to do to fix a country is to fix the courts.#ArabSpringManifesto”

“#SocialMedia will wreak havoc (in a good way) with: activism, marketing, education, and journalism. But non more than education.”

“It's sad that the sector that requires most & fastest innovation is the most resistant to change. #Education #SocialMedia”

@WaelAbbas

Back in 2007 a prosecutor, who was originally a State Security officer, was interrogating me over a torture video I released. He questioned me for nearly 45 minutes about my political activism and none of my statements was written in the records.

Gamal Eid was with me in this investigation. We stayed for 6 hours answering questions outside the case and nothing was written in the records.

Ibrahim Eissa amplified all the news about April 6 movement and now he is treating them as if they are lepers!!

@Monasosh

Samira and Rasha, who decided to challenge the military by confronting them with “virginity tests”, will be with us in our Friday march. Your participation is important: http://www.facebook.com/events/403876469629416/‏

Whoever thinks that marches are not effective any longer should come on Friday to meet the families of political prisoners and arrange with them whatever effective event they want.

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Publication overview

Al-Ahram: Egyptian state-run official daily newspaper

Founded in 1875, is the most widely circulating Egyptian daily newspaper, and the

second oldest after al-Waqa'i`al-Masriya (English: The Egyptian Events, founded 1828).

It is majority owned by the Egyptian government.

Al-Akhbar: Egyptian state-owned semi-official daily newspaper

It was founded in May 1952 as a part of Akhbar El Yom.

Al-Gomhoria: Egyptian state-owned daily newspaper

An influential state-owned Egyptian Arabic language daily newspaper. It was

established in 1954.

Al-Shorouk: Egyptian daily independent newspaper

Is a prominent Arabic newspaper published in Egypt [1] and several other Arabic

nations It is a daily independent newspaper, covering mainly politics, militant affairs

and sport.

Al-Masry al-Yom: Independent daily newspaper

On 7 June 2004, it published its first edition. The paper initially circulated primarily

amongst Cairo’s intellectual elite, providing objective news coverage in the belief that

good news would beat sensationalist reporting found in other Egyptian print media.

After 3 years, it was challenging Al-Ahram for the status of being the national paper of

record. Though

Tahrir: Daily independent newspaper

Dostor: Daily independent newspaper

Yom 7: Daily independent newspaper

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Table of Content: Newspapers:

3-27

Ahram Newspaper

L.E. 120 Million to Face the Rail Employees’ Sit-in 3

Details of the NGOs Case to be Revealed 4

Mussa Promises to End the Pharaohs’ System 5

Sbbahi Advocates a Revolutionary President 6

Abu al-Futouh Promised the Youth of Job Opportunities 7

Masry Youm Newspaper

MB Leader Visits Pope in Cathedral for First Time 8

MB Member Makes “Informal” Visit of Qatar 9

Gomhuria Newspaper

Important Decisions Taken by Cabinet of Ministers 10

Foreign Suspects Travel: A Slap in the Face for Egypt 11

Dostour Newspaper

Islamists Disagree Over Coalition Government 12

Aboul-Fotouh: No Immunity for Those Who Killed Egyptians 13

Tahrir Newspaper

Administrative Court Eliminates Decision to Refer Thugs to Military Prosecution 14

Fouda, Al-Aswani, Ishak and Ghoneim Referred to Military Court 15

Al-Gheriani: I Did Not Think of Running for Presidency 16

Shorouk Newspaper

Policeman Facing Death Sentence Exonerated Of Killing Protesters 17

PA Did Not Receive El-Balkimi’s Resignation 18

Another Potential Presidential Candidate 19

April 6: Al-Azhar Document a Constitutional Guideline 20

Authorities Ban Travel 37 Copts Over Political Asylum Italy 21

Abd El-Moez Ibrahim to Remain in His Post 22

Youm7 Newspaper

FJP to Withdraw Confidence from Al-Ganzory’s Government 23

Military Court Pronounces Verdict on Military Officer Murder 24

Abu Al-Nagga: SCAF Head to Assign Government 25

Al-Silmi Expects the Army Intervention 26

Akhbar Newspaper

Nabil el-Arabi Denies Running for President 27

Tv Coverage 28-30

Al Hayah TV 28

CBC 28

Channel 1 29

Channel 2 29

Links 30

Radio Coverage 31-32

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Radio Misr 31

Al Sharq Al Awsat 31

Al Bernameg Al-Am 31

Links 32

Internet coverage 33-34

Face book 33

Twitter 34