Egypt – Interior Ministry Burning In Cairo
UPDATE 1:55 (EDST).
REUTERS’ Mohamed Abd El-Ghany reports the following:
Egyptians shout from the top of a burning building in the Egyptian Interior Ministry compound in central Cairo March 22, 2011. Fire tore through the Egyptian Interior Ministry building in central Cairo on Tuesday and a ministry source said it was probably linked to a protest by police demanding the minister’s resignation. Ambulances and at least five fire engines raced to the scene of the blaze, which appeared to have ripped through all seven storeys of the building, part of an Interior Ministry compound in central Cairo.
11:20 am (EDST) CNN TV just reported that the Interior Ministry is on fire in Cairo. They report a serious fire.
Al Mousry Al Youm reported today that Interior Ministry employees were protesting at the ministry:
Hundreds of Interior Ministry employees and police personnel protested Tuesday in downtown Cairo, calling for better working conditions.
Protesters demanded receiving a minimum wage of LE1200, cancelling military tribunals and improving their financial and social conditions.
They also wanted fair shares of the housing units allocated for police, suitable commuting to and from work and taking all their leaves.
Protesters also called for promoting all police officers who hold bachelor’s degrees in law to higher positions, as well as establishing social funds to boost service benefits.
A security source said the ministry’s officials are considering the demands.
A huge fire erupted in the building of the Ministry of Interior in Downtown Cairo on Tuesday afternoon.
Witnesses say the fire was visible in the two upper floors of the building.
Four fire trucks arrived on the scene to try to put out the flames.
The reason behind the fire remains unknown.
