Egyptians take pride and joy in cleaning up Tahir Square post their great victory
CAIRO - Egyptian protesters turned from toppling a president to rebuilding a country they believe is once again theirs and cleaning up Tahrir Square, where many vowed to stay to hold their new military rulers to account.
Thousands were back in the square Saturday celebrating the fall of President Hosni Mubarak, whose three decades in office ended with a terse statement read out on television Friday night. Some picked up brooms and swept the streets, others took down tents, smiling and chatting about their new political era. Among them were those determined to stay, waiting for a clear signal from the army that promised reforms would be implemented.
"We won't leave because we have to make sure this country is set on the right path," said Ahmed Saber, 27, who is unemployed. "We won't let the armed forces ride the success of our revolution."
Many Egyptians who had not joined the 18 days of protests in Tahrir came to help clean up. Groups of men, women and children wore vests with a "Proudly Cleaning Egypt" sign on the back as national songs blared out of speakers.
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