News
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Egypt crisis deepens
* Thousands in Cairo defy curfew, demand change* Police fire on protests, many dead
* Death toll rises to 51, with 2,000 injured
* Senior ruling party member quits
CAIRO: Fresh riots in several cities on Saturday left three protesters dead in Cairo and three police in the Sinai town of Rafah, bringing to at least 51 the number of people killed and 2,000 injured nationwide since the angry protests first erupted on Tuesday.
As tens of thousands flooded central Cairo demanding Mubarak’s ouster and defying the curfew, the president late Saturday afternoon went into crisis talks with officials, after which it was announced that career army man and Mubarak confidante General Omar Suleiman had been sworn in as his deputy.
Along with the demonstrations, looting broke out in the capital after the widely hated police appeared to have faded from the scene, prompting the army to call on citizens to defend themselves.
The army announced that a night-time curfew would be enforced and extended in key cities. But when the new 4pm to 8am lockdown went into effect, demonstrators in Cairo paid no heed. Later, the army stood back as protesters fought running battles with police in front of the Interior Ministry.
Hundreds of demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at police near the epicentre of five days of protests, who responded with gunfire, which witnesses said were live rounds. Medics said three people were killed.
The banned Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s most well-organised opposition group, called for a peaceful transfer of power through a transitional cabinet, while separately a senior ruling party leader quit the government and joined the opposition.
Protesters have been demanding not only Mubarak’s departure but an end to endemic state corruption and police brutality that have become systematic under the president’s 30-year rule.
Earlier on Saturday, young Egyptians had already formed a human chain to protect the Cairo Museum, which is located in Tahrir Square and which houses the famous Tutankhamun mask and other priceless antiquities.
In Alexandria, hundreds of people camped out by the main mosque in the centre of the Mediterranean city vowing to protest again, with several police stations still burning amid sporadic looting.
As in Cairo, tanks were deployed and the police were absent. Civilians directed traffic and conducted clean-up efforts. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk