Egyptian Prime Minister Resigns

Ahmed Shafiq was appointed to the position by Hosni Mubarak days after massive protests broke out across the country.

Remember Egypt? While the world’s attention has turned to Libya recently, Egyptians have continued to press for reforms in the wake of Mubarak’s resignation on Feb. 11. A key demand of opposition groups has been the resignation of Shafiq, whom Mubarak appointed prime minister Jan. 25 in an attempt to mollify protesters. Reformers have now gotten their wish, and in a statement on its website the military announced it has accepted Shafiq’s resignation. Former transportation minister Essam Sharaf will take up the prime minister’s post. It’s welcome news for reformers, but perhaps a more pressing task is for somebody to begin policing the country, which has been gripped by a crime since security forces loyal to Mubarak abandoned their posts.