UPDATE 6-Egypt asks for freeze on Mubarak assets

Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:11pm EST

* Prosecutor asks for freeze on Mubarak assets

* Cameron first foreign leader to visit Egypt

* British premier did not speak with Brotherhood

* Islamists most organised political grouping

(Adds call for March on Tuesday)

By Yasmine Saleh and Mohammed Abbas

CAIRO, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Egypt's public prosecutor on Monday moved to freeze the foreign assets of Hosni Mubarak, the first sign that the deposed president would be held to account by the rulers to whom he handed power 10 days ago.

The prosecutor said in a statement he had asked the Foreign Ministry to use diplomatic channels to request a freeze on foreign assets and accounts held by Mubarak, his wife Suzanne and his two sons, Gamal and Alaa, together with their wives.

Media reports suggested the former president's wealth may total billions of dollars and some anti-Mubarak protesters accused him of squandering the wealth of the Arab world's most populous nation, but aides insist he has done nothing wrong.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday became the first foreign leader to visit post-Mubarak Egypt and pushed for an end to emergency law, while refusing to talk to the influential Muslim Brotherhood, a growing political force.

The Brotherhood said on Monday any cabinet reshuffle, designed to placate pro-democracy reformists, must purge the old guard associated with Mubarak.

Egyptian online democracy activists called for a demonstration that they dubbed "Tuesday of Challenge" to demand the removal of the interim government, saying it contained too many old faces.

The downfall of Mubarak in Egypt and uprisings across the region have prompted Western governments to rethink their policies of supporting autocrats, but have also raised concerns about the rise of Islamist groups in their place.

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For more stories on the crisis, click on [nLDE71327H]

Protest timeline link.reuters.com/wen97r

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Comments (2)
NEWSTIME2010 wrote:

The domino effect would be devastating for the whole world if Mubarak assets would be frozen. Not even the English Royal Wedding would come clean.
It would mean – if justice only would exist – that hundreds of thousands of people should be behind bars shortly!
But that will never be the case as there is no justice in our insane World.
Every nation should have an annual revolution!

Feb 21, 2011 12:54pm EST  --  Report as abuse
hsvkitty wrote:

365 people gave their lives for a taste Democracy. They are truly heroes of the people I pray their deaths will not be in vain and that fair elections take place and at least some of the ill gotten monies will be recovered.

To the people of Egypt, congratulations for your courage!

Feb 21, 2011 2:10pm EST  --  Report as abuse
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