Tanks and KFC

BBC News - Egypt: The camp that toppled a president British Broadcasting CorporationHome

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Skip to content Skip to local navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk search Help Accessibility Help Middle East Home UK Africa Asia-Pac Europe Latin America Mid-East South Asia US & Canada Business Health Sci/Environment Tech Entertainment Video 11 February 2011Last updated at 19:25 GMT Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Egypt: The camp that toppled a president Cairo's central Tahrir Square was the focal point for anti-Mubarak protesters during 18 days of demonstrations. As the protest neared its peak, the BBC's Yolande Knell took a tour of the area. Explore the protesters' camp by clicking on the links.

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Tanks

Throughout the demonstration, protesters have sat and slept around tanks parked near the Egyptian Museum, to prevent the army from advancing into the square.

Street clinic

This "street hospital", staffed by volunteer doctors, is one of several clinics where injured protesters have their wounds treated. Since Egyptians do not typically have access to free medical care, some say the clinics in the square are an improvement on what they are used to.

Flag sellers

A whole economy has grown up in the square since the protests began. Street vendors sell flags and hats in the colours of the Egyptian flag. A large flag costs five Egyptian pounds (about 50p).

Food stalls

This bean seller is one of many food vendors who have set up stalls inside the barricades. Protesters have also taken over the Hardees fast food restaurant, where they give out free bread and cheese.

Rubbish bins

Egypt has no formal system of recycling so the demonstrators have set up their own, as part of efforts to keep the square clean.

Artwork

This artwork, "Egypt's Heart", is one of many created by the demonstrators. The heart faces down one of the streets through which pro-Mubarak supporters came to clash with the anti-government protesters. Many visitors have had their photographs taken next to the heart.

'KFC clinic'

This Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food restaurant has been taken over by protesters and turned into a clinic for the injured and the sick.

Newspaper wall

Every morning Egypt's main newspapers are pasted up on the shutters of this shop, allowing protesters who cannot afford to buy a paper can still follow the latest reports, says our correspondent.

Pharmacy

This pharmacy near the main stage is helping campers and visitors keep clean and healthy. Some of the supplies are being given out for free.

Campsite

Though the majority of demonstrators go home each evening, a hard core have set up campsites on the roundabout, pavements and grass verges. Some sleep in tents, while others shelter under plastic sheets and rugs draped across pathways.

Wall of martyrs

Memorials of protesters who died during the uprising have been erected at the "wall of martyrs". Friends of the victims put up pictures and accounts of how they died. Some are very graphic and accuse the police of brutality.

Toilets

The camp toilets are here in a shed formerly used by construction workers near the Egyptian Museum. After 18 days, the smell is quite incredible.

Kindergarten

Schools in Cairo have been closed during the protests. But there are so many mothers who want to attend the demonstration that many bring their children here - to a kindergarten organised by the demonstrators.

Bloggers

Egypt's internet activists have played a key role in the pro-democracy protests and many are camped together on the roundabout in the centre of the square.

Water point

Drinking water is not easy to come by, so protesters have been filling their bottles at this water point beside a construction site.

Main stage

This platform has become a kind of "Speakers' Corner" for protesters to call comrades to action and pay tribute to those who have died during the demonstrations. The white screen is used to project televised speeches by the government and the army.

- More on This Story Fall of Mubarak Features and AnalysisEgypt's new era

Minute-by-minute coverage of events in Egypt on Saturday 12 February, as the country begins life after the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Repercussions in Mid-EastMubarak: Great survivor's endToo early to celebrate?Q&A: Egypt protestsMubarak presidency imagesEgyptian reactionGuide: Key military figuresProtesters react to Mubarak speechProtest timelineMilitary at heart of Egyptian stateMap timelineEgypt unrest: Protests map ProfilesHosni MubarakOmar SuleimanWael GhonimMohamed ElBaradeiMuslim BrotherhoodOpposition groups Related Stories Tahrir Square's place in Egypt's history 01 FEBRUARY 2011, MIDDLE EAST From other news sites Reuters UK Egypt's army commits to civilian rule and treaties 50 mins ago Yahoo! UK and Ireland Thousands rally to demand Algerian leader quits 1 hr ago Telegraph Muslim Brotherhood 'has edge over secularists' 3 hrs ago The Independent Egypt government officials banned from traveling new 4 hrs ago Daily Star Egypt protesters seek assurances 5 hrs ago About these results Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print More Middle East stories RSSEgypt moves to reassure allies

The Egyptian military has said it will respect all international treaties, including its accord with Israel, after Hosni Mubarak's resignation.

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