LIVE: Egyptians head back to work amid protests

Cairo was much calmer Sunday as workers went back to their jobs, while protests continued in Liberation Square and the powerful Muslim Brotherhood began talks with the government for the first time.

By FRANCE 24 (text)

7:11	"Ppl leaning on army vehicles to ensure they don't move".©monasosh on Twitter Sunday February 6, 2011 7:11

7:03	FRANCE 24: @monasosh on Twitter: Seems like the army sent some shots in the air, going to check. Sunday February 6, 2011 7:03 FRANCE 24

7:00	FRANCE 24: Twitter users report hearing gunshots fired into air in Tahrir Square. Al Jazeera confirms shots were fired near the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Sunday February 6, 2011 7:00 FRANCE 24

6:06	"Camp fire in Tahrir". ©monasosh on Twitter Sunday February 6, 2011 6:06

5:57	angiebobs2010: solidarity at Glasgow protest today. http://yfrog.com/h7g10aj Sunday February 6, 2011 5:57 angiebobs2010

5:00	FRANCE 24: @3arabawy on Twitter: There r mass protests in Tanta and Mahalla according to BBC Arabic. Sunday February 6, 2011 5:00 FRANCE 24

4:51

[Comment From Disco Disco : ] The PA news agency carries quotes from special Middle East envoy Tony Blair, the former British PM. He says the upheaval in Egypt has "convulsed" the politics of Israel and Palestine, with both sides worried about who takes over from President Mubarak via http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698 Sunday February 6, 2011 4:51 Disco

4:50	FRANCE 24: (AFP) Egypt regime's reform plans not enough: Muslim Brothers Sunday February 6, 2011 4:50 FRANCE 24

4:19	FRANCE 24: @ReemAbdellatif on Twitter: Egypt State TV presenter Hala Fahmy tells AlJazeera she has evidence Anas ElFeky, Info. Minister, is behind Mubarak thugs. Sunday February 6, 2011 4:19 FRANCE 24

4:16	FRANCE 24: @sharifkouddous on Twitter: A couple just got married in Tahir in front of army tanks. A revolution wedding Sunday February 6, 2011 4:16 FRANCE 24

3:54	FRANCE 24: @ragehomaar on Twitter: al jazeera's brilliant cairo correspondent ayman mohyeldin - formerly our gaza correspondent during israeli war -arrested by egypt military Sunday February 6, 2011 3:54 FRANCE 24

3:25	FRANCE 24: (REUTERS) Egyptian opposition groups said on Sunday a meeting with Vice President Omar Suleiman was positive but had done nothing specific to meet their demands for a complete political overhaul in Egypt. Sunday February 6, 2011 3:25 FRANCE 24

2:44	FRANCE 24: (AFP) Egypt's Vice President Omar Suleiman on Sunday turned down an opposition demand he assume the powers of embattled President Hosni Mubarak during political crisis talks, an opposition participant said. Sunday February 6, 2011 2:44 FRANCE 24

2:28

[Comment From Disco Disco : ] The BBC's Magdi Abdelhadi in Tahrir Square reports on the Coptic service held in the square: "Several Muslim prayers have been held in the square, but with this service, there was a political message from the Coptic community. This is an issue that unites all Egyptians. One of the messages seen on the square said that both the Bible and the Koran were against despotism; this is a show of solidarity that crosses sectarian divides in the country." Sunday February 6, 2011 2:28 Disco

2:27	FRANCE 24: Participants in talks between the Egyptian regime and several opposition groups, including the previously banned Muslim Brotherhood, have agreed to form a constitutional reform committee, a government official said. Sunday February 6, 2011 2:27 FRANCE 24

2:10	FRANCE 24: @NickKristof on Twitter: Muslims and Christians praying together in Tahrir. Very inspiring. Le'ts hope--and pray--that that unity persists. Sunday February 6, 2011 2:10 FRANCE 24

2:03	A protester's message to Egypt's vital tourists © Mona Seif Sunday February 6, 2011 2:03

1:50	FRANCE 24: @sharifkouddous on Twitter: There are many more tents, shelters set up in Tahrir. People are planning to stay here for the long haul. They are not planning to leave Sunday February 6, 2011 1:50 FRANCE 24

1:44

FRANCE 24: FRANCE 24's correspondent in Cairo says that the Muslim Brotherhood "do not want to form a government or run in the elections" but rather want to ensure the calls for democracy are heard and met. "The Muslim Brotherhood will be coopted by the democracy movement and not the other way round," he says. "If it's true it is quite incredible." Sunday February 6, 2011 1:44 FRANCE 24

1:38

FRANCE 24: (AFP) Life began to return to the streets of Cairo on Sunday as banks and shops opened after nine days and the army stepped up its presence around Tahrir Square, epicentre of anti-regime protests. As demonstrators staged a 13th day of protests against Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, banks began to reopen, and streets that have been nearly devoid of traffic filled up with vehicles, causing traffic jams." Thank God. Over the past 10 days I was hardly earning enough to pay for petrol and my shisha (water pipe)," said a taxi driver, adding he bought his brand-new car five days before the protests started. "I pay a monthly installment of 2,000 Egyptian pounds (341.9 dollars)," he lamented. Workers at a McDonald's outlet in the Dokki district scrubbed down front windows that had been whitewashed after the outbreak of demonstrations and the sudden absence of police, which triggered a wave of looting. "We'll open in half an hour," said an employee as others hurriedly mopped the floor. Traffic jams returned to the traditionally crowded streets of Cairo, a city of around 20 million people, and the air was once again full of the sounds of car horns as people went back to work. Sunday February 6, 2011 1:38 FRANCE 24

1:33	FRANCE 24: @beleidy on Twitter: The one week with closed factories and minimal tratfc has given us clean air and a blue sky Sunday February 6, 2011 1:33 FRANCE 24

1:30	FRANCE 24: @mohap_20 Zagazig,Egypt on Twitter: Around 3,000 r now protesting in Zagazig. Sunday February 6, 2011 1:30 FRANCE 24

1:24	FRANCE 24: Inspirational blog by Egyptian activist Mona Seif describes the battle at Tahrir Square between pro-democracy and pro-Mubarak factions on Wednesday night. Sunday February 6, 2011 1:24 FRANCE 24

1:23	FRANCE 24: (AFP): Participants in a dialogue between the Egyptian regime and several opposition groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, agreed Sunday to form a constitutional reform committee, a government official said. Sunday February 6, 2011 1:23 FRANCE 24

1:19	FRANCE 24: Just in (AFP): Egypt parties to form constitution reform panel. Sunday February 6, 2011 1:19 FRANCE 24

1:04	FRANCE 24: Wael Ghonim, Google's head of marketing for the Middle East and North Africa,remains missing. Google has asked that anyone with information call +44 20 7031 3008. Sunday February 6, 2011 1:04 FRANCE 24

1:01	FRANCE 24: @occupiedcairo on Twitter: "Normalcy in some areas, but Tahrir packed again. LOADS of people, singing, chanting, carnival atmosphere."