PHILISTINES HOLD PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF MUBARAK

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An Egyptian pro-Mubarak supporter in Cairo, Wed.
Photo by: ASSOCIATED PRESS
PA launches pro-Mubarak demonstration in Ramallah
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
02/02/2011 20:59

Dozens of supporters rallied in support of the Egyptian president; Fatah-controlled media call ElBaradei a "CIA agent."
 
Dozens of Fatah supporters demonstrated in Ramallah on Wednesday in support of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The demonstration is the first of its kind in the West Bank since the beginning of the uprising in Egypt.

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The demonstration coincided with the attack that was launched by Mubarak's supporters against anti-government protesters in Cairo.

Sources in Ramallah said that the demonstration was initiated by the PA leadership, which has banned anti-Mubarak protests in the West Bank.

The demonstrators shouted slogans condemning Egyptian opposition figure Mohammed ElBaradei as a “CIA agent” and warned against foreign intervention in Egypt’s internal affairs.

Fatah-controlled media outlets on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on ElBaradei, dubbing him a “war criminal” and holding him responsible for the Iraq war.

The PA leadership had until Wednesday refrained from making public comments on the events in Egypt. However, the pro-Mubarak demonstration and the criticism of ElBaradei in Fatah’s media show that PA President Mahmoud Abbas has opted to side with the embattled Egyptian leader.

Abbas was one of few Arab leaders who earlier this week phoned Mubarak to express his solidarity with him against the uprising.