Turmoil in Egypt

This refers to the report “Massive protests rock Egypt” (Jan. 29). Three decades of one-man rule is a formula that will definitely ignite resentment. The people of Egypt have waited for long to see a change of heart in Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

If Mr. Mubarak respects democratic values — being a close friend of India — he should read the signs, resign and call for general elections, giving political parties more freedom. Otherwise he could go the way all dictators have gone.

J.P. Reddy,

Nalgonda

Like a seasoned politician who knows that a sudden outburst of anger never lasts for long, Egyptian President Mubarak may have expected things to calm down. But the fact that the protests have reached a level where the military had to be called in shows that something major is likely to happen. Instability in this part of the world will have tremendous repercussions for most countries.

Nasim Akhtar,

Hyderabad