The Egyptian military has declared it will only rule until democratic elections have been held.It also promised to honor all existing treaties,including the peace treaty with Israel.
The army has long been closely associated with the U.S. military,sending several soldiers to the U.S. for training.Indeed,Egyptian troops fought in the anti-Iraq coalition in the Gulf War of 1991,in which,during the administration of President George H.W. Bush,the U.S. and its allies drove Iraqi invaders out of Kuwait.
Admiral Michael Mullen,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,is headed to the region to assess the situation.He will be the highest ranking U.S. official to visit the Middle East since the uprising.
In Tahrir Square on Saturday,the army moved quickly to arrest three ruffians who were raising a ruckus,rushing several troops in to confront them.In general,the day passed peacefully as many internal tourists made a pilgrimage to the site of the historic events shaping their nation.Former demonstrators helped the army remove debris and barricades from the area,and women began sweeping up the trash that had accumulated over the course of the uprising.
Saturday is a day off for most Egyptians.
Update:Traffic began flowing through Tahrir Square again Sunday in Cairo,and most shops on the square reopened for business.Protest leader Wael Ghonim urged demonstrators to return to work,and many of them apparently have done so,as the crowds thinned markedly.
The miltary said it would rule for six months.During that time,a committee would revise the constitution,which the people will get to vote on upon completion.No ministers unacceptable to the people would be appointed.
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