Violent clashes rock Cairo
EGYPT: Egypt braced Thursday for another day of violence after
backers of President Hosni Mubarak stormed the Cairo stronghold of
anti-regime protesters, sparking clashes in which the Government said
three people were killed.
Washington, which has called for restraint since demonstrations broke
out 10 days ago, deplored the violence against “peaceful protesters”
while UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the attacks on demonstrators were
“unacceptable.”
The European Union added its voice Wednesday to calls from US
President Barack Obama for the transition from Mubarak’s
three-decade-long rule to begin immediately after the veteran president
announced late on Tuesday that he would not seek re-election in
September.
But the Egyptian foreign ministry said such calls “sought to inflame
the internal situation,” while Vice President Omar Suleiman, who was
appointed this week, insisted there could be no dialogue with the
opposition until all the protesters went home.
From early afternoon until well into the night, regime supporters and
opponents threw stones and battled with sticks and fists in Cairo’s
Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the nine straight days of protests that
have rocked the Egyptian regime and sent shock waves around the Arab
world.
Tensions had been rising from early morning when Mubarak supporters
began staging their own rallies around Cairo, saying the president
represented stability amid growing insecurity, and branding as
“traitors” those who want his departure.
A hard core of tens of thousands of anti-regime protesters had
remained at Tahrir Square through the night, angry at the 82-year-old’s
refusal to step down immediately in line with the demands of opposition
leaders for a clean break with his regime.
Witnesses and AFP correspondents said bands of Mubarak supporters
raided the square without warning, some on camels and horses, creating
mayhem that quickly degenerated into violent clashes.
Regime supporters dropped concrete blocks on the opposition
protesters from the roofs and balconies of surrounding buildings.
The worst of the fighting was just outside the world-famous Egyptian
Museum, which was targeted by vandals last week.
Soldiers deployed in the square took cover from the projectiles after
initially standing on tanks to appeal in vain for calm. CAIRO, Thursday,
AFP |
