CAIRO: Flocks of Egyptians are continuing to pour into Cairo's Tahrir Square in support of the protesters, who remain in a constant battle with security forces that has lasted over 24 hours. Over one thousand people are injured and field hospitas were set up last night to meet the lack of ambulances and medical services available. Police are still trying to corner protesters in the surrounding streets off the square, mainly Mohamed Mahmoud street that leads to the ministry of interior and passes next to the American University in Cairo's downtown campus, the same street that was the front line of the battles most of Saturday. A 23-year-old man was shot dead on Saturday and passed away in the hospital after police shot him in the chest. Two others have died in Alexandria. On Sunday, a total of 18 political groups, including the Youth Revolution Coalition decided to go on an open-ended sit-in in Tahrir in opposition of how riot police are assaulting protesters with endless tear gas bombs and rubber bullets, with growing suspicion of using live ammunition. They demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's cabinet and a new presidential council, without the military's involvement in running the country. They also demanded in a statement that the presidential elections be held at the end of April 2012 at the latest and to start immediately the internal reconstruction of the ministry of interior, who they and activists blame for using excessive force against protesters. The ministry of interior said late on Saturday that its forces did not use any weapons to stop the protesters or disperse them, adding that they only used tear gas. The ministry added that its officers “used maximum self-control” when dealing with protesters. The Egyptian cabinet announced it is meeting shortly to discuss the new developments in Tahrir square. Army General Mohsen al-Fangary said that elections are to take place without delay and accused the protesters of “getting paid” to protest in Tahrir. The violence started when a large force of riot police, aided by military police, attacked a small group of protesters who had spent Friday night in the square, mostly those injured of the revolution and their families and were attacked and forced to leave. Crowds then started flocking to the square once the news of police assaults spread and the night saw around 50,000 people taking part in the protests. BM
