Wednesday, February 2, 2011

300 feared dead and 500 injured as Mubarak mob attack peaceful protesters

 
Thousands of supporters of President Hosni Mubarak today attacked anti-government protesters as fresh turmoil gripped Egypt.
Backers of the president, who last night agreed to relinquish his grip on power, fought with the crowds in Cairo's Tahrir (Liberation) Square, at least 500 injured.
Some rode into the ranks on horses and camels and wielding whips. In chaotic scenes, they pelted each other with stones, large sticks and machetes.
The death toll since protests began is now believed to have hit 300.

Many of those who demonstrated in support of the regime are believed to be secret police in plain clothes. There were reports that concrete blocks has been hurled on pro-democracy protesters.
The army has stood by and refused to intervene so far. But there are growing fears that there will be a massacre. Opposition leader Mohamed ElBarawi said that Mr Mubarak was using 'scare tactics' to stay in power. 


Hundreds of thousands of people once more massed in Cairo's central square but this time protests turned ugly


Arrests Pro-Mubarak protesters captured by anti-government supporters are handed over to the army
 Supporters of President Mubarak charged the ranks of demonstrators with camels and horses


Stones fly through the air as supporters of President Hosni Mubarak attack previously peaceful protesters in Liberation Square

Protesters retaliated - dragging them from their horses and throwing them to the ground then beating them.
People were seen running with their shirts and faces bloodied while some men and women in the crowd wept.
Tear gas was believed to have been deployed, though it was not clear who had fired it.
The demonstrations appeared to be the start of an attempt by Mr Mubarak's three-million strong National Democratic Party to retake momentum from protesters demanding Egypt's nearly 30-year ruler step down immediately.
In a broadcast last night, he had promised to step down at elections in December. But his opponents say that this is simply not soon enough.

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