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Protesters pack Tahrir Square as clashes resume

Published:Wednesday | November 23, 2011 | 12:00 AM
An Egyptian riot police officer fires tear gas during clashes with protesters near Tahrir square in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. Egypt's civilian Cabinet has offered to resign after three days of violent clashes in many cities between demonstrators and security forces, but the action failed to satisfy protesters deeply frustrated with the new military rulers.ap

CAIRO (AP):

Tens of thousands of Egyptians massed on Tahrir Square for a mass demonstration yesterday while fresh clashes broke out elsewhere in Cairo as protests demanding the country's military rulers step down entered a fourth day.

Activists are hoping to increase the number of protesters in the square, which was the epicentre of the revolt that ousted Hosni Mubarak in February, with a demonstration to bolster popular support for a "second revolution" despite bloodshed that has left at least 29 people dead nationwide.

Security forces stayed away from the square since Monday to avoid confrontations after several failed efforts to clear the area in downtown Cairo turned violent. But clashes broke out in streets connecting Tahrir Square to police headquarters, with black-clad security forces backed by military troops firing volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to block groups of angry young men, who responded by hurling stones and firebombs.

The two sides have been engaged in intense clashes since the unrest began on Saturday with protesters trying to force out the generals who have failed to stabilise the country, salvage the economy or bring democracy more than nine months after taking the reins from Mubarak.