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Minnesota Professor Sheds Light On Egypt Crisis

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The whole world's attention is on Egypt where reformers have been calling for an end to almost three decades of rule by President Hosni Mubarak.

Ragui Assaad, a Cairo native and professor in the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, says we've reached the end game in Egypt. He believes the protestors are not going to be satisfied with anything less than the immediate departure of President Mubarak.

"His offer to not run again in September will not satisfy anyone. They want his departure, and I think we are going to get that," said Assaad. "Right now people are not going to leave the streets until he leaves."

According to Assaad there is hope for Egypt through their military because they are respected and it's always been the backbone of the regime, but for some reason never blamed for the failure of the regime.

WCCO's Dave Lee Interviews U of M Professor Ragui Assaad

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"People are said to have loathing for the police forces who have tortured people, imprisoned people, and violently suppressed protests," explained Assaad. "But the military has been innocent of these issues and has vowed not to shoot protestors, and has even said they support legitimate demands of protestors."

Written By: Courtney King
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