Friday, January 28, 2011

Many Egyptians seen wounded, TV says one dead REUTERS, Jan 28, 2011, 07.04pm

Many Egyptians seen wounded, TV says one dead

REUTERS, Jan 28, 2011, 07.04pm IST

CAIRO: Witnesses saw dozens of Egyptians bruised, bloodied and fainting in Cairo during protests on Friday and Al Jazeera said at least one person was killed.

One Reuters witness saw blood streaming from people with head wounds and others collapsing to the ground, though the causes were not immediately clear in the chaotic streets. Other witnesses gave similar descriptions.

Al Jazeera said at least one was dead and dozens were wounded in a square in central Cairo. The death could not be confirmed. The channel also said Ayman Nour, who came a distant second in the 2005 presidential race, was hurt.

The unrest is unprecedented in Mubarak's rule in Egypt, where security services keep a tight grip on dissent. It was triggered by the overthrow two weeks ago of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Al Ben Ali in a popular revolt which also inspired anti-government protests in Yemen and Algeria.

The events pose a quandary for the United States, which has professed its wish for democracy to spread across the Middle East. Mubarak, however, has been a close Washington ally for many years and the recipient of huge amounts of military aid.

In response to the protests, US President Barack Obama said social and political reforms in Egypt were "absolutely critical".

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