Protesting police in Sharqiya reach agreement with Interior Ministry

Walid Hamdy, the spokesperson for the protesting policemen in Sharqiya, announced the end of the sit-in on Monday after the Sharqiya security director assured protesters that Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb had agreed to comply to their demands by September 5.

Hamdy added that cash incentives for May, June and July were agreed upon, in addition to the provision of health care for the families of the policemen, as well as better working conditions, according to the state-owned Ahram Gate.

Privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that the protesters warned authorities that if their demands are not met by September 5, they will resume their sit-in.

The settlement comes after a tense period of clashes between protesting police and authorities. Hundreds of low-ranking policemen began a sit-in on Saturday, outside the security directorate in Sharqiya, where they expressed grievances over inadequate healthcare, pensions, missed pay and the sacking of officers without charge. They took over six police stations, ordering their colleagues to stay put until a deal was reached.

As the demonstrations continued, and the government failed to respond to their demands, the protesters began to call for the dismissal of Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, in addition to their initial stipulations.

On Sunday morning, the protesters attempted to break into the directorate, sparking clashes between them and the security forces protecting it, with both groups discharging weapons. Dozens were injured from both sides, and the situation came to a temporary stalemate. Negotiations were then conducted within the directorate, but failed to resolve the disagreement.

The situation continued to escalate, prior to the agreement made on Monday, with police stations around the country expressing solidarity with the protesters, and an assistant to the Interior Minister blaming the protests on the Muslim Brotherhood.