Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    December 17, 2011

Eight Dead in Second Day of Egypt Clashes

   VOA News
   Egyptian protesters carry an injured fellow protester during clashes
   with military police near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec.
   17, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   Egyptian protesters carry an injured fellow protester during clashes
   with military police near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Saturday, Dec. 17,
   2011.

   Clashes between Egyptian police and stone-throwing protesters have
   rolled into a second day, leaving eight people dead and more than 300
   wounded.
   Egyptian soldiers hurled rocks at protesters from the roof of a
   building near the parliament in Cairo and used a fire hose to disperse
   the crowd. Protesters demanding an end to military rule erected
   barricades to protect themselves.
   Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri said in a television address
   that security forces are trying to protect the buildings.
   Many Egyptians just want the violence to come to end.
   "This is a chaotic situation," said Cairo resident Ehab Abdel Salam.
   "We can't work anymore because of this chaotic situation and the
   military should intervene wisely with protesters to end this."
   The violence comes as Egyptians await the official results of the
   second round of parliamentary elections held this week. Islamist
   parties appeared to be extending their already overwhelming electoral
   gains.
   Election officials are expected to announce final results by Sunday.
   Witnesses say the unrest began late Thursday when military police tried
   to break up a sit-in in front of the Cabinet offices.
   On Friday, the ruling military council, in a statement read on state
   television, denied troops had tried to disperse the sit-in. The council
   blamed the violence on the protesters who have been camped out in front
   of the building for three weeks demanding the ruling military leave
   power.
   A senior cleric was among those killed Friday as hundreds of protesters
   in Cairo hurled rocks and firebombs at military police, who responded
   by using water cannons and firing shots. It was not clear if they were
   using rubber bullets or live ammunition.
   Members of a civilian advisory panel created by the military this month
   as a gesture to protesters suspended their work, demanding an immediate
   end to violence against protesters.
   The military council has said it will only step down once a president
   has been elected by the end of June following a protracted series of
   phased parliamentary polls.

.