Affrontements au Caire – 29 janvier 2012

Clashes erupt in Cairo during anti-army protest

reuters.com

Mon Jan 30, 2012

By Shaimaa Fayed and Sherine El Madany

CAIRO (Reuters) – Hundreds of Egyptian protesters demanding an immediate end to military rule clashed on Sunday with rivals in civilian clothes outside central Cairo’s state media building, the same place where 25 people were killed in a demonstration in October.

« Down with military rule, » protesters chanted. The sound of gunshots rang through the air but it was unclear who was firing.

« Tell me council, who chose you? It’s Mubarak’s gang that appointed you, » the crowd chanted, referring to the army council which has ruled Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted on February 11.

Dozens of protesters clashed with a group of people protesters described as « thugs » brought out to attack them, hurling stones at each other. There was no sign of police or troops intervening or securing the media building.

« We were protesting here peacefully, and all of a sudden a group of around 50 thugs came from side streets surrounding the building and attacked us with stones and glass bottles, and we responded by throwing stones back at them. They tore down our tents, » said Mohamed Abdo, 45, an elevator worker. Read more…