CAIRO: Ten fatalities have been confirmed by medical officials in Cairo as deadly battles between state security and protesters continue to rage in the city's iconic Tahrir Square. Thousands have been injured as state security intensifies their offensive in the square, indiscriminately using live ammunition on protesters. A Bikyamasr.com correspondent also confirmed that state security lobbed tear gas canisters on a field hospital in the square, where scores of injured protesters have gone to seek medical care. The clashes began when police attempted to forcibly remove demonstrators from the square, where they were encamped to protest against Egypt's interim ruling military government, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) for proposing legislation that would leave the military and its budget permanently out of the grasp of civilian oversight. Anger in Egypt intensified last week when the SCAF proposed constitutional legislation that would allow them to pick 80 of the 100 members of the upcoming Parliament's Constitutional Committee, set to draft the nation's first post-revolution constitution. The move would vastly diminish the power of the parliament. The SCAF also granted themselves the right to veto any proposed constitutional article before it reaches a national referendum vote According to the SCAF, they will transfer power to a civilian-led government after presidential elections take place. However, the timeframe for presidential elections remains undetermined, with the SCAF wielding absolute power over the decision. Solidarity protests have erupted in cities across Egypt. The violence comes just one week before parliamentary elections in Egypt are set to begin. BM
