Policeman, protester killed in Egypt

A riot policeman fires tear gas as Egyptian riot police clash with anti-government activists in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162159.html

A policeman and a protester have reportedly been killed in clashes in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as anti-government demonstrations in Egypt are increasingly turning more violent.

The two lost their lives in street clashes in the Bulaq Abul Ela district on Wednesday as police and protesters hurled stones at each other and security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, AFP reported.

Protesters threw Molotov cocktails at a government building in the port city of Suez setting parts of it on fire. They also firebombed and occupied the headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party, the witnesses said.

Thousands of outraged Egyptians have taken to streets across the country to continue the largest demonstrations since President Hosni Mubarak came to power 30 years ago, defying a government ban announced earlier by the Interior Ministry.

Protesters burned tires and threw stones at police in Cairo while heavily armed riot police have been deployed in major cities to disperse the demonstrators.

Clashes have been reported in Alexandria and the city of Suez, with security forces using water cannons, batons, rubber bullets and tear gas to break up the crowds.

55 protesters and 15 police have been wounded in clashes in Suez, medics said.

Security officials say around 700 people have been detained and the Interior Ministry has warned legal measures will be taken against demonstrators and they will be "transferred to prosecution."

Mubarak's son, Jamal Mubarak, and wife have reportedly fled to Britain amid the spreading unrest.

According to the official website of the country's main opposition, Muslim Brotherhood, protest organizers have announced a two-day general strike for Wednesday and Thursday.