Egypt: Violence enters fourth day on Monday

At least one person was killed on Monday

Egypt:Violence enters fourth day on Monday

At least one person has died in fresh clashes between protesters and troops in the Egyptian capital Cairo, bringing the death toll since Friday to 12.

Security forces moved into Tahrir Square before dawn, using batons and tear gas to drive out the protesters, who retaliated by throwing stones.

By dawn, the protesters returned to the square, while the troops again manned barricades in nearby streets.

The ruling military said the clashes were a plot to destabilise the country.

Gen Adel Emara, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), said there was a "systematic" plan to sabotage the country's security and provoke the army.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "deeply concerned" by the violence.

She urged security forces "to respect and protect the universal rights of all Egyptians, including the rights to peaceful free expression and assembly".

"Those who are protesting should do so peacefully and refrain from acts of violence," Mrs Clinton added.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was highly alarmed at the "excessive use of force employed by the security forces", and called for the authorities to act with restraint and uphold human rights.

In recent weeks, thousands have taken to the streets, demanding the ruling military council hand over power to a civilian government.

The council assumed presidential powers after Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February in the wake of a popular uprising. It has pledged to hand power to an elected president by July.

Patches of blood

On Monday, the security forces moved into Tahrir Square at about 03:00 (01:00 GMT), seeking to drive the demonstrators out, witnesses said.

The protesters fled down nearby streets away from the cabinet office and parliament building, where they have been throwing stones and petrol bombs at security forces.

By dawn, the demonstrators had begun returning to the square, and security forces took up positions again behind barricades.

Assistant Health Minister Adel Adawi said one person had been killed on Monday.

Mr Adawi added that 201 people had been injured on Sunday alone, with 136 needing treatment in hospital. Most of those admitted were suffering from bruises, cuts, burns and concussion, he added.

The UN and US have expressed concern about the use of force by the Egyptian authorities.

However, a doctor at a field hospital in Tahrir Square told the Associated Press that six people had been killed on Monday. He said they all had gunshot wounds.

The latest violence began just after the second round of parliamentary elections, which Egyptians hope will bring stability and civilian rule.

In recent days, soldiers and police in riot gear have been filmed beating activists with sticks after they had fallen to the ground - scenes which have brought international condemnation.

Islamist parties are on track to win a majority in the People's Assembly.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party has said it received 39% of votes cast for party lists in the second round of voting last week. The ultraconservative Salafist al-Nour Party said its list received 30%.

Of the 160 individual seats contested in the second phase, the Freedom and Justice Party won 29, while al-Nour won 23. The liberal Wafd Party and Egyptian Bloc won nine and seven seats respectively.

The rest will be determined in run-off votes later this week.

BBC/Ugo