Egyptians queue up after cash machines restocked

CAIRO — Dozens of people lined up in front of cash machines in Cairo on Wednesday after they began dispensing cash for the first time since the start of Egypt's mass protest last week, witnesses said. Many Egyptians live hand-to-month and have felt the strain as protests demanding Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak step down spread across the country, disrupting services ranging from food supplies to cash machines. Dozens of people were queuing at machines in Cairo's financial district. Newly appointed Trade Minister Samiha Fawzi outlined an emergency plan on Tuesday to get vital foodstuffs and fuel from ports, warehouses and factories to distribution outlets, and witnesses said many Egyptians were also lined up outside food shops in many locations around the country. The internet and text messaging on mobile phones resumed operation on Wednesday as well. Disrupted trains resumed service to both southern and northern part of the country but not on a regular schedule, the state news agency said. Finance Minister Samir Radwan, who took office on Monday, announced pensioners, employees and others would be allowed to withdraw up to 1,000 Egyptian pounds ($170.7) a day in pensions and salaries. The state news agency said the banks themselves would remain closed for a fifth straight day on Thursday but reopen on Sunday. The stock exchange will also remain closed, a bourse official said. — Reuters