Byline: ALUN PALMER
HE has become a powerful symbol of the people's revolution in Egypt.
As chaos descended on the streets of Cairo and British tourists fled to the airport, Captain Ehab Mohammed Fati laid down his weapons and walked out of his barracks to join the people on the streets trying to end President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.
The soldier, 31, has vowed to remain in Tahrir Square, the centre of the protests against the regime, until Mubarak leaves the country.
He is flanked at all times by a human shield of protesters who are terrified that a sniper in one of the tower blocks which overlook the square in Cairo will kill their former comrade.
In an exclusive interview for the Daily Mirror, he said: "I will stay here until Mubarak goes. I will fight for Egypt but I will not fight its people.
"When I saw the protests I knew I could not go against them. I could not fight my own people, so I walked away and came to the square."
Captain Ehab is exhausted. Unsteady on his feet, he looks in deep shock. He has been trying to contact his wife since he left and is terrified that she has been seized by the secret police.
Although his aim is deadly serious, there was a carnival air in the square. Protesters chanted slogans and shared their food with troops in tanks.
From old women to engineers and students, all were united in wanting an end to Mubarak's time in power.
They believe that as long as they stay together, the pressure will tell. Yet television and newspapers here give scant coverage to the riots and internet access has been cut off.
Logistics co-ordinator Hassan Mohammed, 42, told me the voice of the people had to be heard. As jet fighters criss-crossed the sky, he said: "We want an end to Mubarak. What happens after that, who knows?"
CAPTION(S):
CROWDS Captain Ehab on Saturday
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