IT MUST be difficult for the protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Friday's scenes of jubilation at the departure of Hosni Mubarak are still so fresh in their memories, but the authorities sending in the hated police yesterday to try to clear the stragglers, the same force used by Mubarak's regime to repress them, must have woken them up like cold water being poured on their faces.

Egypt's new military authorities said yesterday they are dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution.

The higher military council said it would stay in power six months, or until elections.

Let's hope that's true.

After 30 years of broken promises, this government must deliver on fair and open elections.

Little surprise that a small hardcore of protesters yesterday said they will remain in the square until a full timetable of reform is drawn up.

Caretaker Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said his main priority was to restore the country's security, after nearly three weeks of protests.

Mr Shafiq said Egyptians had lost a sense of security during the events which led to Mr Mubarak's departure.

"Our main concern now as a cabinet is security - we need to bring back a sense of security to the Egyptian citizen," he said.

"Parallel to that we also want to ensure that the daily life of all Egyptians goes back to normal and that basic needs like bread and healthcare are available."

But the covenant between the people and their government has been broken.

The authorities now need to earn back that trust.

The banning from foreign travel of three senior officials close to Mr Mubarak - former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli and current Information Minister Anas al-Fekky - while they are investigated is a start.

Tahrir translates as "liberation". Time the people of Egypt had that in more than just name.

ROMANCE seems to be dead in Malaysia.

Its government has stepped up a campaign to stop Muslims celebrating Valentine's Day - labelling it a "trap" that could encourage immoral behaviour.

Several Malaysian states are planning to carry out checks on hotels to stop young couples having premarital sex.

Leaflets have been distributed to Muslim university students urging them to avoid today's celebration.

Not all Malaysian Muslims agree with the campaign, with some saying Valentine's Day is harmless.

And here I was thinking it is just an innocent way for florists, card companies and chocolate shops to relieve us of our money...

AND finally...

New Zealand radio station The Rock FM has outraged some by running a contest giving male listeners the chance to win a wife.

The winner will be flown to Ukraine to pick their future wife from a bride agency.

Yet the station's owner says he plans to weed out "no hopers".

Do I need to say it?