“Two killed” in Cairo protest

Two people have been killed and at least 15 wounded during protests in Tahrir Square in the centre of the Egyptian capital of Cairo, doctors said. The violence occurred overnight as the army tried to clear protesters calling for ex-President Hosni Mubarak and his family to be tried for corruption. “Two killed” in Cairo protest The injured suffered gunshot wounds but the army denies using live rounds. Tahrir Square became the symbolic centre of protests that led to Mubarak stepping down this year. The army had maintained a generally neutral role in the earlier mass demonstrations. But about 300 troops moved into the square at about 03:00 local time on Saturday to break up a camp in the centre. Protesters say they were beaten with clubs and shots were fired. An army spokesman told Reuters news agency that only blanks were used. The military issued a statement blaming "outlaws" for rioting and violating a curfew but said no-one was hurt. "The armed forces stress that they will not tolerate any acts of rioting or any act that harms the interest of the country and the people," it said. The military denied any arrests had been made but protesters said several demonstrators had been dragged away into vans. Three vehicles, two of them military, were set on fire during the unrest. The protesters were demanding a number of measures, including the resignation of the man who has replaced Mubarak as interim leader, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi. "Tantawi is Mubarak and Mubarak is Tantawi," they chanted. The military force finally withdrew and protesters began to reoccupy the square in daylight, renewing their demonstration. The violence came after a huge protest in the square on Friday. Hundreds of thousands demanded the prosecution of Mubarak for corruption. Mass protests ousted Mubarak on 11 February but many believe the military figures now overseeing political transition are protecting him. Officers join the protesters in Cairo (Beta)

“Two killed” in Cairo protest

The injured suffered gunshot wounds but the army denies using live rounds.

Tahrir Square became the symbolic centre of protests that led to Mubarak stepping down this year.

The army had maintained a generally neutral role in the earlier mass demonstrations.

But about 300 troops moved into the square at about 03:00 local time on Saturday to break up a camp in the centre.

Protesters say they were beaten with clubs and shots were fired.

An army spokesman told Reuters news agency that only blanks were used.

The military issued a statement blaming "outlaws" for rioting and violating a curfew but said no-one was hurt.

"The armed forces stress that they will not tolerate any acts of rioting or any act that harms the interest of the country and the people," it said.

The military denied any arrests had been made but protesters said several demonstrators had been dragged away into vans.

Three vehicles, two of them military, were set on fire during the unrest.

The protesters were demanding a number of measures, including the resignation of the man who has replaced Mubarak as interim leader, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.

"Tantawi is Mubarak and Mubarak is Tantawi," they chanted.

The military force finally withdrew and protesters began to reoccupy the square in daylight, renewing their demonstration.

The violence came after a huge protest in the square on Friday.

Hundreds of thousands demanded the prosecution of Mubarak for corruption.

Mass protests ousted Mubarak on 11 February but many believe the military figures now overseeing political transition are protecting him.