‘Nearly one million protesters descend on Cairo square’

Egyptian Copts pray in Tahrir Square (Feb. 9)

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptian anti-government protesters stood their ground in Cairo’s Tahrir Square for a 17th day on Thursday, despite Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit’s warning that the military could intervene if demonstrations continue.

Hundreds had camped overnight in and around Cairo’s Tahrir Square, within sight of the nearby parliament buildings. By late afternoon, Al-Jazeera reported that nearly one million demonstrators had gathered.

They are demanding higher wages, political reform and the ouster of President Hosny Mubarak, and do not appear to be placated by the government’s recent promises of reforms.

Read more at Haaretz.com.