Scores hurt as protesters and military loyalists clash in Cairo

Scores hurt as protesters and military loyalists clash in Cairo
By MUSTAPHA AJBAILI – Al Arabiya And Agencies

More than 200 people were wounded in Egypt’s capital Cairo on Saturday during clashes between pro-democracy protesters angry at the ruling military council’s handling of the transition period and army loyalists.

The military has been traditionally regarded with respect in Egypt. The fact that protesters marched to convey their displeasure was in itself a highly significant matter.

The two sides pelted each other with stones and Molotov cocktails, prompting the army to fire in air to disperse the crowds.

“Down with the military,” the protesters chanted, branding its leader Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi “an agent of America.”

Such chants were regarded by veteran analysts as signifying overt disrespect toward the country’s highest military leader – again, a most unusual occurrence.
An Egyptian army officer shakes hands with a protester. (REUTERS Photo)
An Egyptian army officer shakes hands with a protester. (REUTERS Photo)

Ambulances were seen tending to the injured, as an army helicopter flew overhead shining its spotlight into the crowd.

Marshal Tantawi vowed on Saturday to build “the pillars of a democratic state which promotes freedom and the rights of citizens.”

Marshal Tantawi, whose military council took over after a popular uprising forced President Hosni Mubarak to step down in February 2011, was seen leaving the compound before the protesters arrived.

Egyptian youth protesters vowed to remain in Tahrir Square until their demands are met, after violence broke out in a number of Egyptian cities between military police and protesters on Friday, in which up to 10 people and four policemen were hurt.

The army denied using force against demonstrators.

Protesters now in their 15th day of demonstrations have been camped in Tahrir and other squares across the country to back demands for more freedom for the civilian government, led by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, an end to military trials and setting a time frame for the completion of the demands for reform.

In his speech to mark the anniversary of the 1952 revolution that overthrew the debauched King Farouk in a bloodless coup, Marshal Tantawi said his mandate was to deliver an elected government to Egypt.

“We are committed to pressing ahead in turning Egypt to a modern civilian state,” Marshal Tantawi said in his speech.

“We are moving forward on the path to entrenching democracy that upholds freedoms and the rights of citizens through free and fair elections,” he added in a pre-recorded speech, his first address to the public since Mr. Mubarak was ousted. …source