Egypt the pressure cooker

"Soaring food prices lead to widespread protestsSocial unrest has been growing on the back of rising inflation, which is undermining consumers' purchasing power and fuelling general dissatisfaction with the fallout of economic reform. This has led to a rising number of demonstrations. These include further protests against rising prices by thousands of textile workers at Mahalla al-Kubra (who are generally credited with having started the current wave of labour protests in late 2006). Groups such as doctors, nurses and university professors have also threatened to strike, a rare phenomenon in Egypt.The government has sought to address the discontent in several ways. It is especially attempting to improve subsidy provision, separating the production and sale of subsidised bread?the main element in the Egyptian diet?in order to reduce corruption. Families were allowed to add children to their ration cards in February for the first time since 1988 (increasing the total number of beneficiaries from 40m to an estimated 55m). Nevertheless, as rising wheat prices force more and more people to rely on subsidised bread, the queues are lengthening and supplies are coming under strain. Similar problems have also arisen regarding diesel fuel, which is used to power machinery and farm equipment. Shortages have led to outbreaks of fights at petrol stations, and accusations that the government is deliberately keeping stocks hidden to boost prices. ..." (2008-3-25)

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