Egyptian army attacks demonstrators

Egyptians demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak wave their national flag outside the national television station in Cairo on January 28, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162486.html

Tens of thousands of Egyptians calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak have been attacked by Republican Guards firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

On Friday, demonstrators stormed the national television building in Cairo, but broadcasts there continued as normal.

President Mubarak sent troops and armored cars into Egyptian cities on Friday in an attempt to quell street fights with protesters demanding an end to his 30-year rule.

Despite a complete curfew imposed on the cities of Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria, the epicenters of the protests over the past four days, thousands of people have spilled out into streets in defiance of government orders.

The death toll in the four days of riots has reached 18, including the two protesters killed in Mansoura city late on Friday. Thirteen were killed in Suez alone.

People, fed up with unemployment, poverty, corruption, and the lack of freedom under Mubarak, shouted "Down, Down, Hosni Mubarak," some throwing stones at police.

The demonstrators carried banners that read: "Yes to national unity"; "No to terrorism"; "Muslims and Christians are one"; and "Mosques and churches are one," Reuters reported.

Demonstrators have set the headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) in central Cairo on fire. The building is located right next to the Egyptian museum. NDP branch offices in several other cities around the country were also set ablaze or attacked during the day, witnesses said.

Some of the army units, along with tanks and military vehicles, have secured the museum against possible looting of ancient antiquities.

The demonstrators have also set fire to two police stations and have taken control of two others in Suez.

Egyptian medical sources said on Friday, after security forces used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds, that at least five protesters had been killed and 870 wounded.

Prominent activist Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace laureate, was briefly penned in by the police after he prayed at a mosque in the Giza area, but he later took part in a peaceful march with supporters.