Egypt protesters defy ban, clash with police

Cairo: Egyptian anti-government activists clashed with police for a second day yesterday in defiance of an official ban on protests. Beefed-up police forces quickly moved in and used tear gas and beatings to disperse the demonstrators.

Security officials said 860 protesters have been rounded up nationwide since Tuesday, when tens of thousands turned out for the largest protests in Egypt in years. They demanded a solution to poverty, rising prices and high unemployment.

The crackdown brought harsh words from European leaders, who said the events underline the need for democratisation.

US appeal

The US yesterday said Egypt should lift a ban on protests. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters that it was important for the Egyptian government to demonstrate "responsiveness" to its people.

Asked whether Egypt's ban on demonstrations should be lifted, Gibbs said: "Again, yes. We're supportive of the universal rights of assembly and speech."

Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmad Nadeef said yesterday the government was committed to allowing freedom of expression by legitimate means.

"The government is intent on guaranteeing the freedom of expression by legitimate means," Nadeef was quoted as saying by the state news agency. The Ministry of the Interior blamed the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's biggest but outlawed opposition, of inciting protesters.

Officials at the Cairo airport yesterday denied media reports that Egyptian officials had left the country following Tuesday's protests.

"No official left because of these incidents. In addition, the air traffic at the airport is normal," said an official on condition of anonymity.

However, Nadeef and several members of his cabinet yesterday cancelled a scheduled meeting in Luxor and remained in Cairo. Officials say a popular revolt along Tunisian lines is unlikely to happen here. The opposition, however, says that a spate of self-immolations and Tuesday's protests were inspired by the uprising in Tunisia.

— With inputs from AP, AFP and Reuters