Violence erupts in Egypt's Alexandria

Security forces have been accused of human rights violations in Egypt. file photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168245.html

Violent clashes have erupted between anti-government protesters and the police in the Egyptian city of Alexandria where protesters lay siege to state security building.

The violence broke out after more than a thousand protesters stormed the state security headquarters in the city, according to the Associated Press.

Reports say security officers inside the building used live ammunition and petrol bombs to try to disperse the anti-government protesters, seriously injuring at least three people.

Egyptian local media and protesters on the ground in Alexandria said that police personnel in the building were seen setting fire to and shredding sensitive documents, including passports and national identification cards.

The activists who called for the protest say they are demanding the abolition of the state security apparatus and an end to emergency laws.

They say security agencies have arrested and tortured thousands of activists and killed many under the rule of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Essam Sharif, the newly appointed Egyptian prime minister, spoke to thousands of anti-government campaigners in Cairo's Liberation Square on Friday morning, where he pointed out that the state security apparatus must work for the good of the people.

Egypt's interim Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq resigned, following weeks of massive protests demanding that the government be purged of all remnants of the Mubarak regime.

Protesters say they are skeptical about a rapid transition toward democracy and civilian rule and maintain that demonstrations will continue until all their demands are met.

The developments come weeks after Mubarak handed over power to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is headed by Defense Minister Gen. Mohammed Tantawi.