Police attack protesters in Egypt

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161986.html

The Egyptian police have attacked thousands of protesters in Cairo as the anti-government demonstrations demanding political and economic reforms are beginning to turn violent.

A number of demonstrators and several journalists have been arrested in the Egyptian capital.

There have also been reports that the security forces have fired live rounds.

Two protesters were killed in heavy clashes with security forces in the city of Suez on Tuesday, and a police officer was killed in a demonstration in Cairo on the same day.

Protesters continued to demonstrate after nightfall in Tahrir Square and vowed to carry on until dawn.

The Muslim Brotherhood site Ikhanweb.com stated that there are heavy clashes underway between security forces and protesters in Tahrir Square and vehicles have been set on fire.

The protesters say it's a day of revolt against torture, poverty, corruption, and unemployment. Some have gathered outside the Supreme Court and the parliament building, calling for an end of President Hosni Mubarak's three-decade ruling.

It has been reported that the protesters are distributing pamphlets raising four demands to the government, namely: (1) the resignation of Mubarak; (2) the resignation of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed Nazef; (3) the dissolution of the People's Assembly and the rescheduling of elections; (4) and the establishment of a new government elected by the people, Xinhua reported.

The police have fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse crowds, injuring several people.

Over 30,000 police officers have been deployed to the city center to crack down on the demonstrators.

Demonstrations have also been held in Alexandria and other parts of the country.

Kamal El Helbawy, the former spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood, told Press TV that Tuesday's demonstrations have been the largest and most significant in Egypt's recent history.

Former Arab League ambassador to the United Nations Clovis Maksoud has said that the ongoing revolution in Tunisia is inspiring the people of the Arab world, who are tired of dictatorial regimes.

Egypt has many of the same social and political problems as Tunisia, like rising food prices, high unemployment, and corruption.