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    December 20, 2011

Clashes Between Egyptian Security Forces, Protesters Continue

   VOA News
   Protesters throw rocks toward Egyptian military near Tahrir Square in
   Cairo, Egypt, December 20, 2011. Photo: AP
   Protesters throw rocks toward Egyptian military near Tahrir Square in
   Cairo, Egypt, December 20, 2011.

   Egyptian security forces have clashed with protesters in Cairo's Tahrir
   Square in a continued effort to disperse those calling for the ruling
   military council to step down.
   Police and soldiers raided the square early Tuesday trying to clear the
   area in the center of the capital that served as the hub of protests
   against former leader Hosni Mubarak.
   Protesters and security forces hurled stones at each other, and police
   fired shots to try to disperse the demonstrators as the clashes
   stretched into a fifth day.
   At least 12 people have been killed and more than 500 others have been
   hurt since Friday.
   Egypt's military rulers have defended the use of force, saying the
   protesters have been provoking soldiers and destroying government
   property.
   The protesters are demanding the military rulers step down immediately
   and hand power to a civilian government. They accuse the military
   council of manipulating the country's transition process to retain
   permanent powers.

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