Thousands still camped out in Cairo

Pro-military thugs attack peaceful protesters in Cairo on July 23, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/190596.html

Thousands of angry Egyptian protesters are still camped out in Cairo's landmark Liberation Square, despite bloody clashes with pro-military rule thugs on Saturday night.

The protesters have been camped out in Liberation Square since July 8. They are demanding an end to the military rule in their country.

The protesters have camped out in Liberation Square and other major squares across the country to demand more freedom and a civilian government.

Meanwhile, fierce street fights began after military forces blocked demonstrators from reaching the ruling military council headquarters in Cairo.

Later, police fired tear gas and the thugs attacked people with stones and Molotov cocktails from rooftops.

"The thugs are surrounding us, the riot police is with them and the army is doing nothing," AFP quoted a political activist as saying.

"They beat everyone, even the girls. We won't stop talking," a female activist said.

Egypt's Health Ministry says no one has been killed in the clashes. But the ministry put the number of injuries at 309.

The April 6 movement and several other political parties have strongly condemned the military crackdown against peaceful protesters.

The developments come as tensions are escalating between Egyptian youths and the country's ruling military council.

Protesters are calling on Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the de facto president and the head of the military council, to step down.

The demonstrators want an immediate end to the military rule and the appointment of a democratically elected government.

They also seek the trial of ousted president Hosni Mubarak and members of his regime who are responsible for the killing of hundreds of demonstrators during the revolution.

Following Mubarak's downfall, the military council took over in Egypt. Many Egyptians believe the council is trying to derail the revolution.

Demonstrators call for an end to the military council's rule and want the military to go back to their barracks and hand over power to a civilian government.