Sami Hafez Anan

Sami Hafez Anan has been the Chief of Staff of Egypt's Armed Forces since 2005. He was in the United States when the Arab Spring protests began in late January 2011, but he quickly returned to Egypt to order the army not to fire on protestors. The day before Mubarak resigned from the presidency, Anan made a speech in Tahrir Square promising to protect the protestors and their demands.

After Mubarak left office, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) assumed power; Anan and Mohamed Hussein Tantawi are the highest-ranking figures in SCAF. Activists have criticized the council for the slow pace of reforms and that the promised elections have not yet been held. The end of November has seen increased violence and arrests accompanying the ongoing protests in Tahrir Square, which has increased criticism against the military government. SCAF has promised to start holding elections November 28.

For more information, see http://nyti.ms/hM15Xb.