Egyptian clashes continue, 5 dead, hundreds hurt

Almaty. February 3. Kazakhstan Today - Anti-government demonstrators and supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak clashed repeatedly in Cairo on Wednesday leaving several people dead and more than 611 wounded, the agency reports.

Early-morning gunfire has rung out around Tahrir Square in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, killing several people. Sustained bursts of fire lasted for two hours as anti-government demonstrators tried to stay in control of the square.

Egypt's health minister says five people have died in fighting between pro- and anti-government protesters, which began on Wednesday.

"Most of the casualties were the result of stone throwing and attacks with metal rods and sticks. At dawn today there were gunshots," Health Minister Ahmed Samih Farid told state television.

"The real casualties taken to hospital were 836, of which 86 are still in hospital and there are five dead."

Mr Mubarak has said that he will serve out his current presidential term, which ends in September, but will not run for re-election.

On Wednesday, groups fought pitched battles in Cairo, in the worst violence in 10 days of protests. There has been gunfire, ambulances on site, people been dragged out, stones and Molotov cocktails being thrown.

The numbers of those here in support of the president is fewer than we saw yesterday, so the question remains whether we'll see more of those or more anti-government protesters today.

The unrest has left about 300 people dead across the country, according to UN estimates.

There were petrol bombs being lobbed during the night and now this morning there's been gunfire.

Reports early on Thursday suggest that supporters of President Mubarak have been firing on people in the square from the October Bridge, with unknown numbers wounded.

Wednesday's violence began when thousands of supporters of President Mubarak surged into the square. One anti-government protester told the BBC that the pro-Mubarak activists had initiated the fighting.

"They started throwing stones at us," the man, named as Zaccaria, said. "Then some of us started throwing stones at them and then we chased them out of the square. They returned once again with the horses and the whips and the thugs."

Opposition supporters say many in the pro-government camp were paid by the authorities to demonstrate, and allowed into the square by the troops surrounding it.

The two sides pelted each other with stones in running battles lasting for hours.

Egyptian troops refused to intervene, but fired into the air to try to disperse people. On Wednesday, they called for demonstrators to return to their homes, a call which was reiterated by Vice-President Omar Suleiman.

Clashes were also reported in Egypt's second city, Alexandria.

If Mr Mubarak does not step down, demonstrators have planned to march on the presidential palace on Friday.

Meanwhile, internet services were returning to the country, having been cut off for days by the government.

The protesters are demanding that President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled for 30 years, step down immediately.

Egypt has been in upheaval now for nine days. On Tuesday, Mubarak said he would not run in September elections, a move that will end his 30 years in office. However, anti-government protesters keep insisting Mubarak must step down immediately, CBC reports.

Wednesday was the first day since the demonstrations began that pro-Mubarak groups turned out in large numbers to confront the anti-Mubarak side.

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