Restive Egypt Looks Over Its Shoulder

The uprising that sacked Tunisia’s government is continuing to echo through the region, with Egypt, especially, looking over its shoulder and fearing instability that could scare off foreign investors. —JCL

Associated Press via The Guardian:

An Egyptian government minister warned on Sunday that investors are growing concerned about Egypt’s stability over fears the revolt in Tunisia could spur unrest elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East.

The stunning protests in Tunisia, which brought down that country’s leader after 23 years of repressive rule, have reverberated around the region, particularly in Egypt, where many activists are similarly angry with their longtime president.

In a first test of whether the events could spark serious street protests in Egypt, activists and opposition groups are organizing a day of demonstrations in Cairo and Alexandria on Tuesday to coincide with a holiday honoring Egypt’s feared police and security apparatus.

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AP / Christophe Ena

Protesters sit on a building ledge in Tunis above a scrawled slogan that reads “free at last.”