Cairo quiet as Egypt returns to the polls
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2011, Thursday
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EGYPTIANS returned to the polls yesterday in a phased parliamentary election, after five days of violence in Cairo that has cast a pall over the transition to democracy.
Tahrir Square and surrounding streets were quiet through the night for the first time in a week.
A night earlier, police and soldiers had used tear gas and batons to chase protesters demanding an end to army rule out of the square.
The latest confrontations, in which 13 people have been killed, made for a turbulent backdrop to Egypt's first election since Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February.
Even before the vote got under way in November, a flare-up in Tahrir killed 42.
Nine provinces held run-off votes yesterday or are holding polls today in the election being held over six weeks.
The ruling army council, which took over from Mubarak, has said it will hand power to an elected president by July. But protesters in the square want the army to return to barracks far sooner.
"God willing, we will complete the revolution by January 25 by bringing down the army council," said 25-year-old protester Mahmoud, who declined to give his full name. The uprising to oust Mubarak began on January 25 this year.
The clashes have driven a wedge between those determined to stay on the streets and other Egyptians desperate for a return of order. Many see the army as the only institution capable of achieving this.
But many people have been shocked by images of police and soldiers' treatment of protesters, in one case, dragging a woman by her robe, exposing her bra, and kicking her.
Financial ratings agency Moody's downgraded Egypt on Wednesday.
Tahrir Square and surrounding streets were quiet through the night for the first time in a week.
A night earlier, police and soldiers had used tear gas and batons to chase protesters demanding an end to army rule out of the square.
The latest confrontations, in which 13 people have been killed, made for a turbulent backdrop to Egypt's first election since Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February.
Even before the vote got under way in November, a flare-up in Tahrir killed 42.
Nine provinces held run-off votes yesterday or are holding polls today in the election being held over six weeks.
The ruling army council, which took over from Mubarak, has said it will hand power to an elected president by July. But protesters in the square want the army to return to barracks far sooner.
"God willing, we will complete the revolution by January 25 by bringing down the army council," said 25-year-old protester Mahmoud, who declined to give his full name. The uprising to oust Mubarak began on January 25 this year.
The clashes have driven a wedge between those determined to stay on the streets and other Egyptians desperate for a return of order. Many see the army as the only institution capable of achieving this.
But many people have been shocked by images of police and soldiers' treatment of protesters, in one case, dragging a woman by her robe, exposing her bra, and kicking her.
Financial ratings agency Moody's downgraded Egypt on Wednesday.
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