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    December 18, 2011

Third Day of Violence Rocks Cairo

   VOA News
   Egyptian protesters protect themselves behind makeshift shields during
   clashes with army troops near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 18,
   2011. Photo: AP
   Egyptian protesters protect themselves behind makeshift shields during
   clashes with army troops near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 18,
   2011.

   Egyptian protesters and security forces clashed for a third straight
   day Sunday. Ten people have been killed and hundreds have been wounded
   since the violence began Friday.
   Soldiers have chased and beat rock-throwing demonstrators attempting to
   gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Some protesters have erected
   barricades to protect themselves.
   The demonstrators are demanding the nation's ruling military
   immediately step down.
   The violence follows Egypt's second round of voting in parliamentary
   elections - the country's first polling since president Hosni Mubarak's
   departure in February.
   The state-run MENA news agency says the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom
   and Justice Party and the ultraconservative al-Nour Salafi party appear
   to have captured the most seats in voting last Monday and Tuesday. The
   two Islamist parties dominated the first round of voting in late
   November.
   Egypt's ruling 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.
   In a televised address, Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri said
   the current demonstrations are not linked to the revolution that
   resulted in Mr. Mubarak's resignation. The prime minister also said
   there are some groups that did not want to see Egypt succeed.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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