Egyptian protesters carry an injured fellow protester

Egyptian protesters carry an injured fellow protester during clashes with military police near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. Egyptian soldiers clashed with hundreds of rock-throwing protesters in central Cairo for a second consecutive day on Saturday, in a resurgence of turmoil just days after millions voted in parliamentary elections.

Mona El-Tahawy beaten and sexually assaulted by CSF

Mona El-Tahawy

Renowned Egyptian American columnist Mona El-Tahawy says she was subjected to physical and sexual assault at the hands of the Central Security Forces (CSF) after being arrested at Mohamed Mahmoud Street on Wednesday night. El-Tahawy is a New York-based columnist for Canada's Toronto Star, Israel's The Jerusalem Report and Denmark's Politiken.

El-Tahawy’s arrest was first known Wednesday night when she sent a tweet saying that she was beaten and detained. After several hours of silence, El-Tahawy tweeted again “I am free” and then began to speak of her terrible experience.

After arrest, El-Tahawy was moved to the Ministry of Interior’s where she waited for three hours before being interrogated by military intelligence officers while she was blindfolded. It was at this time that El-Tahawy was also sexually assaulted: “5 or 6 surrounded me, groped and prodded my breasts, grabbed my genital area and I lost count how many hands tried to get into my trousers.”
Mona said that she had to answer questions at first because she had no passport with her, but later refused to cooperate with the military intelligence as a civilian.

The military intelligence apologised for what CSF forces did to El-Tahawy, even recording her statement about the assault and taking photographs of her bruises before releasing her.

El-Tahawy shared a photo of her swollen hand and said that she was going to hospital for a checkup. According to x-rays, both her left arm and right hand are broken. El-Tahawy attacked the CSF on her Twitter account, calling them "bastards" and promising to write an article about her terrifying experience.

The El-Tahawy incident is not the first involving a journalist during the latest clashes in Tahrir Square. Many Egyptian and foreign journalists reported attacks by the security forces. Two reporters lost an eye, including Al-Masry Al-Youm photojournalist Ahmed Abdel Fatah.

Two days ago, Al-Akhbar Daily newspaper’s correspondent Sarhan Sanara in Alexandria was arrested by security forces during his coverage for clashes in front of the Alexandria security directorate and was badly tortured for hours there before being released.

The Journalists’ Syndicate issued a strong-worded a couple of days ago condemning the attacks on journalists and accusing the Ministry of Interior of targeting the media. The syndicate threatened to sue the ministry in case of any further attacks on journalists.

Source : Ahram

Military trials threaten Egypt's democracy

CAIRO — Through three decades of iron-fisted rule, Hosni Mubarak suspended the rights of 2,000 civilians and ordered them to face military tribunals in a campaign to crush the Islamist opposition that threatened his rule.

General Hassan El-Rewini 

The military courts, which were empowered by Egypt’s so-called Emergency Law, were seen as a violation of the Egyptian constitution and of international law and their use ignited a firestorm of criticism by human rights activists around the world.

Now in the aftermath of demonstrations against such human rights abuses that led to the toppling of Mubarak in February, Egypt’s ruling military council has hauled 12,000 civilians before similar military tribunals — six times the number under Mubarak in just 10 months, according to a report by Egypt’s leading human rights organization.

So it’s understandable that human rights activists in Egypt and abroad are asking what has really changed, and whether the ‘January 25 Revolution’ has ushered in a military coup that is far surpassing the Mubarak regime’s erosion of civil rights. On the eve of the November 28 election, a mounting anger directed against the military has triggered more protests and more violent crackdowns in and around Tahrir Square.

And the role of the military in a new Egypt is now perhaps the central question in the upcoming series of parliamentary elections and the process of adopting a new constitution.

“We thought it was a transitional period and the change is happening. We found out that the transition hasn’t even begun,” said Hossam Bahgat, director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which led independent investigations into violations committed by the military and police.

A leading presidential candidate Ayman Nour found that out the hard way. After a conviction on trumped-up charges related to signatures on petitions for his party which challenged Mubarak in the 2005 election, Nour lost his appeal on October 16. Now calling for a more independent judiciary, Nour has vowed to continue his political career even though a prison sentence hangs over his head.

“The use of military trials and emergency law is a threat to the fairness and transparency of the upcoming elections and unfortunately the military is using the same Mubarak policies we revolted against,” said Nour.

And throughout the nine months since Mubarak was toppled, the arrests of civilian protesters who are forced to face military tribunals is continuing at an aggressive pace. 

One political activist was arrested by military police on October 18 for taking part in the Black Circle Campaign sponsored by April 6 Youth Movement to highlight members of Mubarak’s National Democratic Party who are still running for the upcoming elections.

Ali El Halabi was arrested for painting graffiti, taken before military tribunal and awaits sentencing.

Mubarak’s military trials were used to crush an Islamist opposition and were only heard in cases of terrorism. Judgement was swift, there was no real process for appeal and sentences ranged between lengthy jail terms and death sentences.

SCAF has now broadened the use of military trials, putting civilians in front of the tribunals for unlawful gathering and a long list of charges like weapons possession, violating military facilities and attacking military personnel. Sentences are shorter,but affect many more civilians and their families.

General Hassan el Rowini, Commander of the Central Military and member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces indicated in June 2011 that military prosecutions are justified “because Egypt is ruled by the military, it is a military jurisdiction.”

After months of pressure by human rights activists and organization, the military softened its tone, but activists say its actions remain largely unchanged.

“Now they only apply military laws in cases of violations against the military, such as protesting in front of the military court or prison,” said Ragia Omran, lawyer and top officer of the “No Military Trials” movement, which produced the finding that more than 12,000 civilians have been brought before military tribunals since February 11 when the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) took power. “In other words, they are applying military laws on protesters and opinion holders.”

“Yes they are accepting appeals and less people are standing military trials,” she added. “But it remains a great violation to civil and human rights, even if it’s used against criminals.”

Despite the military’s decreasing use of military law to prosecute civilians, around 9,000 people remain in different prisons across Egypt serving military terms they were handed in the months following the revolution.

Members of “No Military Trials,” reported that hundreds of protesters were charged with violating military forces that were dispersing protests. They faced speedy trials which human rights activists say denied them due process and they received sentences of between 3 to 5 years in jail.

Abul Maati Ahmed, a 21-year-old martial arts champion was protesting with the rest of his family on Tahrir Square starting January 25. On February 3, he was arrested coming into the square and taken to the nearby Egyptian Museum, which was used by the security forces as a processing center for those arrested.

“We never knew where he was, his brother saw the officers arrest him but we never knew where they took him after,” said Ahmed Abu Arab, father of Abul Maati.

“We filed to the Military Prosecutor and we were informed on February 18 that he was sentenced to 5 years for assaulting the military,” said Abu Arab, the father.

Ahmed Abu Arab visited his son for the first time on February 20. At that time, the father learned that his son didn’t even know that he had been sentenced.

“He told us that he was never taken to court, he never saw a judge, he was shocked when we told him that he was sentenced to 5 years,” said Abu Arab.
Activists against military trials condemned the military prosecutors for the lack of proper and thorough investigations into the cases.

“Some of the trials took three days in total, from arrest and sentence, it is absolutely illegitimate,” said Omran of the “No Military Trials” movement.
Despite accepting some appeals, Omran points out that compensating those who are acquitted in their retrial was never a subject of discussion.

“They arrested my son and tortured him, they destroyed his life by their injustice. He is now a smoker in jail instead of a Kung Fu champion,” said Abu Arab.

“We called for a civil state during the ‘January 25 Revolution,’ said Omran. “And if we accept military trials we might as well accept the military in power for long years.”

(Correspondent Mohannad Sabry’s reporting for this story was supported in part by a grant to GlobalPost from the Ford Foundation.)

Source : Global Post

Live updates: Smoke as antidote to tear gas in the square

8:10 pm: The Free Egyptians Party issues a statement asking the military to stop violence against protesters. It also demands the swift transfer of power to a national salvation government.
The party demanded a stop to the use of toxic gas against protesters and the prosecution of those responsible for killing and injuring them.
It also demanded the realization of the revolution's demands, including the release of political detainees and the end of military trials for civilians.

8:05 pm: Witnesses in the square report that the smoke created by small bonfires, scattered throughout Tahrir Square, are helping to offset effects of lingering tear gas.

7:30 pm: A Tahrir doctor is reported to have died from tear gas used against demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses say the police shot teargas directly at the field hospital on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, causing the doctor, Rania Fouad, to faint and enter a coma. They also say the police forbade her colleagues from moving her away from the scene.

7:15 pm: On Mohamed Mahmoud Street, military sets up barbed wire  in front of central security forces.

 

7:10 pm: The Popular Socialist Alliance Party issued a statement in which it blasted Field Marshal Tantawi’s speech Tuesday night, and demanded the ruling military council give up power to a powerful and trusted national salvation government headed by presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei.
The party denounces what it calls lies of the military council, which claims it hasn’t shot protesters with live ammunition or spread false accusations.
The party asserts that it firmly supports the popular uprising and rejects negotiations or dialogue with the military. It also says that it has continued to suspend all electoral campaigning until the bloodshed ends and those responsible for it are held accountable.

5:50 pm: Clashes renew at Mohamed Mahmoud Street.

4:30 pm: The military's hands are tainted with protesters' blood, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the New York-based organization Human Rights Watch.
The report urged Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to immediately order riot police to stop the use of "excessive force" against protesters and to reduce their troops around Tahrir Square "to a level that allows for the maintenance of security while permitting free assembly."
The organization accused both riot police and military personnel of shooting live ammunition and rubber bullets at demonstrators and beating them up.
The press release quoted Sarah Leah Whitson, the organization's Middle East director, as saying: “With parliamentary elections a week away, the military rulers are facing a serious crisis of confidence because of their management of the transition... It has not yet learned the most basic lesson of the January uprising: that Egyptians have and know they have a right to peaceful protest, which repressing a demonstration with brute force cannot take away.”
The organization demanded that the office of the public prosecutor conduct "a transparent investigation" into the use of "lethal force" and the involvement of military personnel in the brutalities.

4:20 pm: The official death toll of the clashes around Egypt has risen to 35, the Health Ministry said. There have been 31 deaths in Cairo, two in Alexandria, one in Ismailia and one in Marsa Matruh.

4:15 pm: Five Egyptian human rights groups have issued a statement declaring their intention to prosecute General Hamdy Badeen, head of the military police; General Hassan al-Roweiny, commander of the central military district; and Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawy, among other senior security officials, for the killing and injuring of protesters in clashes that started Saturday in many governorates around Egypt.
The signatories said that the actions of the police and military forces in the last four days constitute “criminal offenses," which they said have led to 40 deaths and 2000 injuries. They warn that if the Egyptian judicial system fails to bring those responsible to justice, its members will be prosecuted in international courts.
To counter what they call false claims by the military that it hasn’t engaged with protesters, the organizations started gathering evidence of the use of excessive force by military forces with intent to cause death or serious injury since the beginning of the clashes.
The statement is signed by the Egyptian Initiative for Human Rights, the Hisham Mubarak Law Center, the Arab Network for Human Rights Information, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, and Al-Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence.

4:10 pm: Clashes on Mohamed Mahmoud Street stopped after police forces retreated. The army is now securing the area around the Interior Ministry.

4:00 pm: Protesters have built three levels of barricades from the debris along Mohamed Mahmoud Street to protect the square from any potential attack that might happen, as well as to prevent people from advancing and to stay inside the confines of the square. People are chanting, "The people demand the revolution inside the square."
Army officers are still present along the streets leading to the Interior Ministry.

3:15 pm: An Al-Azhar imam from the group that went to negotiate with the army, Ismail Mohamady, has said the two sides agreed they will stay in the square and no side will attack the other.
Fekry Mohamed, a 29-year-old protester, said that one Central Security Forces officer waved the victory sign, took off his helmet and threw down his weapon. He and some other protesters raised him up on their shoulders and started chanting "peaceful," and the security forces withdrew.
"This is a victory for us, we are peaceful protesters and we will now stay inside the square until we topple SCAF," Mohamed said.
Protester Amal Hamada, 43, said: "We will not leave Tahrir until our demands are met: stopping military trials for civilians, the handover of power to a civilian authority, and trying all the criminals from police who murdered protesters. We put the blame on Tantawi for every drop of blood that was shed."

2:55 pm: Police forces have retreated from Mohamed Mahmoud Street.

2:30 pm: A number of Al-Azhar imams have organized a group of people to negotiate a truce with the army forces, which have recently appeared on the side streets around Tahrir Square.

2:15 pm: A fire has broken out at the American University in Cairo (AUC) main campus in downtown Cairo, an Al-Masry Al-Youm correspondent says. The building is on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, where most of the heaviest fighting is.

2:20 pm: The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) issues a new statement on its official Facebook page, denying using any tear gas canisters against protesters in Tahrir Square or anywhere else. The statement stressed that the armed forces won’t use weapons of any kind against the Egyptian people. The SCAF demanded youth not to follow rumors.

1:50 pm: Harassment of journalists appears to be on the rise. Al-Masry Al-Youm journalist Nadine Marroushi was detained by police officers, who questioned her about her purpose in the square. They released her but kept her cell phone and press ID card. Earlier in the day, Ola Galal, a reporter for Bloomberg, was arrested while taking pictures behind the police lines. An officer cursed at her and threatened to delete her photos. She was then released.

11:00 pm: Fighting continues between protesters and police on Mohamed Mahmoud Street.

Earlier in the day
Increasing numbers of protesters began swarming into Tahrir early Wednesday morning after continuing clashes between security authorities and protesters near the Interior Ministry in downtown Cairo.
Eyewitnesses said security forces continue to fire tear gas. They said field hospitals in Tahrir are receiving dozens of injured people, most of whom suffer from convulsions, apparently from tear gas, and varying cuts from stone-throwing.
Meanwhile, more than 150 school students organized a march from Haram, in southern Cairo to Tahrir to express support for the protesters.
The students, marching from Giza square to Tahrir, chanted "The people want to bring down the regime" and "Down with military rule" in rejection of the use of violence against protesters.
The Ahmed Maher Front of the April 6 Youth Movement announced in a statement on Tuesday that it will continue its sit-in in Tahrir and other governorates until its four demands are achieved.
The movement called for setting a date for the presidential election so that it is held before the end of April, transferring power to a civilian presidential council, forming a national salvation government with full powers independent from the SCAF, and launching immediate investigations into the clashes in Tahrir.
The movement criticized Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) leader Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi's speech, in which he pledged to conduct presidential elections before the end of June.
Meanwhile, field doctors in Tahrir called on citizens to supply them with medications, saying their supplies are quickly running out.
On Twitter, doctors sent out cries for help to urge other doctors to head to Tahrir immediately, saying several protesters are dying from gunfire.

Source : Al Masry Al Youm

Egyptian Cabinet offers to resign

Essam Sharaf

Cairo— The Egyptian Cabinet put a resignation on the Military Council table today after three bloody days because of the Egyptian Police Violence with the protesters in Tahrir Square,this action didn't satisfy the protesters and they ignored it totall.

The Health Ministry and the doctors in the field hospitals declared the number of the people who have been killed as 26 at least and 1750 injured in this clashes as activists sought to fill the streets for a "second revolution" to force out the generals who failed to improve the country situation and stabilize Egypt and to increase the economy or to bring the democracy as they said in the beginning.

The Second Egyptian Revolution photos-3

An Egyptian protester tries to stop clashes and rock-throwing at riot police at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Riot police on Saturday cleared Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters who had camped overnight after a rally of some 50,000 people, mainly Islamists, pressed Egypt's military rulers to transfer power swiftly to a civilian government. Around 100 protesters had stayed in the square, where police pulled down tents and confiscated chairs and banners they had set up, Reuters' witnesses said. Some minor scuffles occurred.

An Egyptian protesters kicks away a tear gas canister fired by riot police during clashes at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 19, 2011 as Egyptian, firing rubber bullets and tear gas, broke up a sit-in among whose organisers were people injured during the Arab Spring which overthrew veteran president Hosni Mubarak.

A general view shows Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square as Egyptian riot policeman try to disperse protesters on November 20, 2011. Deadly clashes broke out in central Cairo for the second day running, kicking off a violent countdown to the first elections since Hosni Mubarak's downfall.

Protesters chant slogans and carry a giant Egyptian flag during clashes with riot police in Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Police backed by the army used batons and teargas on Sunday to charge protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding Eygpt's ruling generals swiftly hand power to civilians, in some of the worst violence since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

A wounded Egyptian protester shouts at a field hospital following clashes with security forces in Cairo on November 20, 2011. Deadly clashes broke out at Cairo's Tahrir Square for the second day running, kicking off a violent countdown to the first elections since Hosni Mubarak's downfall.

Egyptian protesters hold a national flag at centre, as they face tear gas at Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. Egyptian riot police clashed Monday with thousands of protesters demanding that the ruling military quickly announce a date to hand over power to an elected government.

Protesters show the media tear gas canisters, which were fired at them by riot police during clashes between protesters and police, near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

Protesters keep their distance from tear gas fired by riot police during clashes between protesters and police near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

A protester throws a tear gas canister, which was earlier thrown by riot police, at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

A protester runs away from tear gas fired by riot police during clashes between protesters and police at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

A protester flashes signs during clashes near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

Police officers, who fired tear gas at protesters, are seen during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

A protester waves the Egyptian flag during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

Protesters stand opposite riot police who fired tear gas during clashes between protesters and police near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 21, 2011. Protesters demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power beat back a new police raid to evict them from Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Monday, witnesses said.

Canadian volunteer nurse, Merikel, right, helps an Egyptian medical team to treat an injured protester at a field hospital at Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. Egyptian riot police clashed Monday with thousands of protesters demanding that the ruling military quickly announce a date to hand over power to an elected government.

 Egyptian protesters run from the scene of a building fire, seen in background, near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. local people at the scene blame the fire on police firing tear gas in the area. Egyptian riot police clashed Monday with thousands of protesters demanding that the ruling military quickly announce a date to hand over power to an elected government.

 Protesters warm themselves by a fire during clashes with riot police in Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. At least 10 people died as police backed by the army used batons and teargas on Sunday to charge protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power, in some of the worst violence since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

 Protesters chant slogans and carry empty tear gas canisters during clashes with riot police in Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. At least 10 people died as police backed by the army used batons and teargas on Sunday to charge protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power, in some of the worst violence since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

An Egyptian couple walk at Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. Egyptian riot police clashed Monday with thousands of protesters demanding that the ruling military quickly announce a date to hand over power to an elected government.

A wounded protester is rushed to a field hospital near Tahrir Square during clashes with Egyptian riot police in Cairo November 20, 2011. At least 10 people died as police backed by the army used batons and teargas on Sunday to charge protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding Egypt's ruling generals hand over power, in some of the worst violence since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

Protesters wounded during clashes with Egyptian riot police in rest in a field hospital near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Police backed by the army used batons and teargas on Sunday to charge protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding Eygpt's ruling generals swiftly hand power to civilians, in some of the worst violence since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian riot police set fire to a motorcycle at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 19, 2011, as Egyptian police clashed with protesters, firing rubber bullets and tear gas as they broke up a sit-in among whose organizers were people injured during the Arab Spring which overthrew veteran president Hosni Mubarak.

Protesters run for cover from tear gas during clashes with Egyptian riot police in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. Thousands of police clashed with protesters for control of downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square on Saturday after security forces tried to stop activists from staging a long-term sit-in there. The violence took place just nine days before Egypt's first elections since the ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak in February.

An Egyptian protester (R) chants slogans against riot police during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Riot police on Saturday cleared Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters who had camped overnight after a rally of some 50,000 people, mainly Islamists, pressed Egypt's military rulers to transfer power swiftly to a civilian government. Around 100 protesters had stayed in the square, where police pulled down tents and confiscated chairs and banners they had set up, Reuters' witnesses said. Some minor scuffles occurred.

A protester waves an Egyptian flag near a police vehicle set on fire during clashes between protesters and security forces at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square on Saturday after police dispersed a sit-in by demonstrators demanding the ruling military transfer power swiftly to a civilian government.

Protesters throw stones at police during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square on Saturday after police dispersed a sit-in by demonstrators demanding the ruling military transfer power swiftly to a civilian government.

Protester makes a fire at a riot police vehicle during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square Saturday after police dispersed a sit-in by demonstrators demanding the ruling military transfer power swiftly to a civilian government. Around 100 protesters had camped in the square overnight after Friday's demonstration which had gathered some 50,000 people, mostly Islamists.

Protesters run from tear gas thrown at them by police during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square on Saturday after police dispersed a sit-in by demonstrators demanding the ruling military transfer power swiftly to a civilian government.

An Egyptian protester lies on the ground in front of a riot police vehicle during clashes at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Riot police on Saturday cleared Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters who had camped overnight after a rally of some 50,000 people, mainly Islamists, pressed Egypt's military rulers to transfer power swiftly to a civilian government. Around 100 protesters had stayed in the square, where police pulled down tents and confiscated chairs and banners they had set up, Reuters' witnesses said. Some minor scuffles occurred.

Egyptian riot police clash with protesters at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square Saturday after police dispersed a sit-in by demonstrators demanding the ruling military transfer power swiftly to a civilian government. Around 100 protesters had camped in the square overnight after Friday's demonstration which had gathered some 50,000 people, mostly Islamists.

An Egyptian walks past graffiti opposing the Interior Ministry during clashes between protesters with riot police at Tahrir Square in Cairo November 19, 2011. Riot police on Saturday cleared Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters who had camped overnight after a rally of some 50,000 people, mainly Islamists, pressed Egypt's military rulers to transfer power swiftly to a civilian government. Around 100 protesters had stayed in the square, where police pulled down tents and confiscated chairs and banners they had set up, Reuters' witnesses said. Some minor scuffles occurred.

Tear gas surrounds Egyptian riot police as they stand guard during clashes in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. Thousands of police clashed with protesters for control of downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square on Saturday after security forces tried to stop activists from staging a long-term sit-in there. The violence took place just nine days before Egypt's first elections since the ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak in February.

The Second Egyptian Revolution Pictures

Egyptian protesters run for cover during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

An injured Egyptian protester stands guard as other pray during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

A protester throws a tear gas canister, which had earlier been thrown by riot police, near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Protesters demanding an end to army rule and angered by rough police tactics battled with police on Sunday, presenting Egypt's ruling generals with their biggest security challenge yet, a week before parliamentary elections. Two people were killed and hundreds wounded in clashes on Saturday night reminiscent of some of the worst violence during the 18-day uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February.

Egyptian protesters hide behind a barricade as they face off against riot police during clashes at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

Egyptian protesters point to the 'Made in USA' tag on a tear gas canister during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Egyptian protesters streamed into the square after a night of deadly clashes that signalled the start of a violent countdown to the first polls since Hosni Mubarak's ouster.

An Egyptian protester cover his face from tear gas during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

An Egyptian protester suffering from tear gas is helped away during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

Egyptian protesters rest at a park following clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Egyptian protesters streamed into the square after a night of deadly clashes that signalled the start of a violent countdown to the first polls since Hosni Mubarak's ouster.

Protesters carry an injured man during clashes with riot police near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Protesters demanding an end to army rule and angered by rough police tactics battled with police on Sunday, presenting Egypt's ruling generals with their biggest security challenge yet, a week before parliamentary elections. Two people were killed and hundreds wounded in clashes on Saturday night reminiscent of some of the worst violence during the 18-day uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February.

An Egyptian protester hids behind a plank of wood during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

An Egyptian protester shows rubber bullets shells and a tear gas canisters during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

An Egyptian protester covering her face with her national flag to protect herself from tear gas fired by riot police walks at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Egyptian protesters streamed into the square after a night of deadly clashes that signalled the start of a violent countdown to the first polls since Hosni Mubarak's ouster.

Protesters throw stones at riot police during clashes near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Protesters demanding an end to army rule and angered by rough police tactics battled with police on Sunday, presenting Egypt's ruling generals with their biggest security challenge yet, a week before parliamentary elections.

Protesters take cover as police fire tear gas and throw stones back at protesters, who have been throwing stones at the police, near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Protesters demanding an end to army rule and angered by rough police tactics battled with police on Sunday, presenting Egypt's ruling generals with their biggest security challenge yet, a week before parliamentary elections. Two people were killed and hundreds wounded in clashes on Saturday night reminiscent of some of the worst violence during the 18-day uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February.

Egyptian protesters carry an elderly man suffering from tear gas inhalation during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Egyptian protesters streamed into the square after a night of deadly clashes that signalled the start of a violent countdown to the first polls since Hosni Mubarak's ouster.

An Egyptian amputee holds a stone as he joins protesters during clashes with riot police at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on November 20, 2011. Several hundred Egyptians occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square with sporadic clashes between protesters and the police following a night of deadly violence, an.

A protester flashes victory signs with his fingers as tear gas fired by riot police engulf a street during clashes near Tahrir Square in Cairo November 20, 2011. Protesters demanding an end to army rule and angered by rough police tactics battled with police on Sunday, presenting Egypt's ruling generals with their biggest security challenge yet, a week before parliamentary elections.