Protesters across Egypt defy curfew

Thousands of protesters defied a curfew in Egypt on Friday as the army deployed on the streets of Cairo, Suez and Alexandria after a day of chaotic protests that left eight people dead.

Reuters

On the fourth days of rallies, protesters battled security forces which retaliated with tear gas and rubber-coated bullets in Egypt's main cities.

Protesters marched through the streets of Cairo, Suez and Alexandria demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!" cried some demonstrators, mainly men, who had gathered on al-Azhar Street in Cairo.

At least eight people were killed in clashes with security forces across Egypt, medics and witnesses told AFP news wire.

On Friday, Mubarak called on the army to restore calm and ordered a curfew on Egypt’s main cities. Earlier it was announced that he would make an address to the nation but he has yet to appear.

The army, which has so far refrained from using force, was welcomed with cheers as it deployed on the streets of Cairo.

The Reuters news wire reports that 410 people were injured in clashes with security forces on Friday and thousands have been arrested over the last couple of days.

US President Barack Obama held a 40-minute meeting on Egypt with Vice-president Joe Biden and his national security team. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also took a markedly more critical stance of the Egyptian regime during a press conference and called on the Egyptian security forces to show restraint.

Earlier on Friday, protesters attacked and looted the headquarters of the ruling NDP party in Cairo, and torched a governorate building in Alexandria.

In Cairo, the police blocked several highways and central roads but were overwhelmed in several areas. Protesters managed to break through several police barriers around the central 6 October Bridge.