Clashes erupt as protesters come under attack in Cairo

Cairo: At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between anti-military protesters and unknown attackers near the Defence Ministry in Cairo, according to medical and security sources.

The violence, the worst in three months, started when thugs attacked hundreds of protesters with petrol bombs and stones in the site, said medical activists and witnesses. The violence comes three weeks before the presidential elections, Egypt's first since a popular revolt deposed long-standing president Hosni Mubarak more than a year ago.

"We had hardly finished the dawn prayers when those thugs raided the place and caused panic," added Salah Mahmoud, one of the protesters. "The army troops positioned on the area did nothing," he added. "Where is the army? Why are they not stopping these people?" cried a bystander as the violence persisted. Shots rang out as young men dashed back and forth across debris-scattered streets, hurling rocks, glass and petrol bombs.

"Down, down with military rule," protesters yelled.

Wounded men were hauled away as others filled bottles with petrol while shots rang out. One witness saw some combatants carrying guns and one with a sword.

Extra troops

The army sent in extra vehicles and troops, but pledged in a statement not to disperse peaceful demonstrators.

Troops had earlier blocked a road to the ministry with army vehicles, barbed wire and wearing riot gear.

Days of street violence also preceded the start of a staggered parliamentary election in November.

The protesters have been camping for five days near the Defence Ministry in the Abassiya area in eastern Cairo, which is also the seat of the country's second biggest university.

The protesters are demanding that the generals, who have been ruling Egypt since February last year, hand over power. The Islamists, who started the protest on Saturday, also demand an official commission which is overseeing this month's presidential elections, to be disbanded allegedly for being biased against Islamist contenders.

The commission, whose rulings cannot be appealed, disqualified, among eight others, the ultra-conservative anti-US Salafist Hazem Salah Abu Esmail and the Muslim Brotherhood's deputy leader Khairat Al Shater from the polls due to begin on May 23.

The commission said Abu Esmail's mother was a US citizen, while Al Shater was convicted by a military court under the toppled president Hosni Mubarak — cases that make them ineligible.

Medical activists, manning a field hospital in Abassiya, said the bulk of injuries were caused by birdshot pellets, petrol bombs and clubs. Serious cases were transported aboard motorcycles to nearby hospitals, they added.

Services suspended

The attackers blocked the way to the nearby Dar Al Shafa Hospital before army troops intervened, according to witnesses. A subway suspended its service in the area, which houses governmental institutions, due to the violence.

Military sources, meanwhile, said the army had brought the "situation under control" after deploying troops on the scene. Eight armoured vehicles were sent to the area "to stop the clashes and not to end the peaceful protest," the ruling military council said in a statement.

The influential Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafist Al Nour Party, who both hold more than two thirds of the parliamentary seats, said they would boycott a meeting called by the ruling military council to discuss a month-long deadlock on the formation of a constitution assembly.

"The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces should be held accountable for these incidents, given that it is ruling the country and that the violence occurred near the Defence Ministry," said Mohammad Mursi, the Brotherhood's presidential candidate.