AS TENSION rises and protests continue in Cairo, we take a look at what's on the front pages of Egypt's papers on Sunday. Much has been made of the role of television and social networking sites in Tunisia's unrest and now Egypt's. But with internet access intermittent at best, Al Jazeera being blocked from state satellite, and state television largely being used as a government mouthpiece, Egypt's print media is playing an important role in providing information and comment on the demonstrations taking place across the country.

Al Masry Al Youm, a widely read, independent daily newspaper known for its criticism of the Mubarak regime leads with: "Conspiracy amid security forces to support chaos". It also notes Omar Suleiman's appointment as vice president and Ahmad Shafiq's as prime minister. It describes the withdrawal of the security forces from the streets as "suspicious" and reports that Egyptians have been forming neighbourhood-watch committees to defend their districts.

Al Wafd is a daily newspaper published by the opposition Wafd party. It leads with: "Egypt faces the unknown", followed by "suspicious disappearance of police spurs thugs to loot houses and shops". It points out that the firing of the government and the departure of NDP politicians has failed to stem the angry revolution. The paper also reports the protesters' attack on the Ministry of the Interior and Messrs Suleiman and Shafiq's appointments by Mr Mubarak. It declares the latest position of the Wafd party which includes demands such as the trial of fraudsters and the opening of governorate headquarters to protect citizens.

Another well-respected independent daily, El Shorouk, opens with the headline: "The people advance as Mubarak starts his retreat" before reporting sources that say that Mr Mubarak's sons, Gamal and Alaa, have left for London. It also says that police violence has resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people and the injury of thousands. The rest of the page covers the escape of prisoners from jails in Tora and Abu Zaabal, American deliberations about whether to reduce aid, reports of theft from the Egyptian Museum and the efforts of the armed forces to combat thugs.

Among state media and pro-government newspapers, headlines focus on Mr Mubarak's political appointments following his speech early on Saturday morning, with much space devoted to warnings of looting and theft following the police withdrawal.

Al Ahram, often described as the voice of the regime blandly leads with: "Omar Suleiman for vice president and Ahmed Shafiq prime minster", also noting "armed-forces trucks push to secure areas and demand that curfew be observed." Other headlines include: "protests and chaos continue across the country with looting and robbery in absence of security forces" and "thousands of prisoners escape from detention centers and police stations." Al Ahram is also the only paper to feature prominently the opinion of leading religious institutions, quoting Al Azhar, Egypt's most important Muslim institution, calling for young people to preserve Egypt's security and peace.

Al-Akhbar, a newspaper that strongly backs the government, also focuses on Mr Mubarak's political appointments and those that the president has fired: "Omar Suleiman Vice President", "President Mubarak picks Ahmed Shafiq to form a new government", "Ahmed Ezz is out, Nazif breaks down in tears after government is fired." Akhbar's casualty count is lower than others', reporting 74 dead and 2000 injured.

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