Cairo clashes rage as security forces try to clear Tahrir Square

Cairo: Egyptian police and soldiers fired weapons and used batons and tear gas for a fifth day yesterday in the latest security operation to clear Cairo's central Tahrir Square of opponents of army rule.

The sound of heavy gunfire rang out across the square as armed security forces charged hundreds of protesters attempting to hold their ground, activists and a Reuters witness said.

"Hundreds of state security forces and the army entered the square and began firing heavily. They chased protesters and burned anything in their way, including medical supplies and blankets," protester Esmail said by telephone.

Before the latest security charge, protesters had been trying to tear down a brick wall the army had put up to block access to parliament, which is located beside the square. A security source said some protesters wanted to remove the wall in order to reach parliament and destroy it.

Medical sources have said 13 people have been killed since Friday, but the protesters say the latest attack produced more casualties. "Some of those who fell had gunshot wounds to the legs," Esmail said.

Hundreds more were wounded and scores have been detained in attempts to disperse protests in and around Tahrir Square, hub of the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak in February. Politicians and members of parliament who had been staging a sit-in nearby tried to enter the square but were forced to turn back as the pitched gun battle raged on, Esmail said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the use of "excessive" force against the protests, which have deepened a rift among Egyptians over the role of the army and cast a shadow over the country's first free election in decades.

An army general said "evil forces" wanted to sow chaos and said soldiers had shown "self-restraint" despite provocation by those trying to burn down buildings and create discord between the army and the people.

Arms suppliers

The human rights watchdog Amnesty International called on arms suppliers to stop sending small arms and ammunition to Egypt's military and security forces in the wake of the violent crackdown on protesters.

Reporters Without Borders said the army's "systematic use of violence against media personnel", was blocking access to information in and around the square.

Soldiers have been filmed using batons to beat protesters, even after they have fallen to the ground, while many protesters have hurled stones. In one incident, a government building housing historic books was set on fire.

"What is your feeling when you see Egypt and its history burn in front of you?" retired general Abdul Moneim Kato, an adviser to the military, told the Al Shorouk newspaper. "Yet you worry about a vagrant who should be burnt in Hitler's incinerators."

Sultan to help renovate

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has pledged to renovate the historic Egyptian Scientific Institute, which was gutted during fresh events of violence in Cairo last week.

He promised to meet the cost of restoring the historic centre in recognition of the role of the fraternal country in spreading education and enlightenment across the Arab world.

Shaikh Sultan promised to restore the institute in a telephone call from Paris to Egypt's "Dream 2" television channel during its popular 10 pm Night talk show, expressing his deep sorrow at the burning of the Institute.

The Ruler, who is recovering after a successful surgery, expressed deep sorrow over the burning of the institution, which he described a valuable scientific wealth, not only for Egypt but for the entire world.The ruler also made mention of Egypt's generous help to sister Arab countries even in times of hardship and recalled Egypt's sending of a team of academicians to Sharjah in 1954 to help run educational institutions. The Ruler promised to donate to the Academy copies of several original manuscripts. He also promised to present several rare maps to replace any maps that might have been gutted.

— With inputs from WAM