CAIRO: Anger toward the United States is growing in Egypt, and on Friday, some 100 angry demonstrators took to the US Embassy in Cairo to voice their concern, clashing with security forces in the area. As a result of the rising tension and anger toward the US, the country's ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson reportedly has fled the country to Germany en route back to the United States. On Friday, the protesters called for an end to military rule over Egypt, which they argue is a result of American support and backing, both financially and politically. The demonstrators clashed briefly with soldiers stationed near the US embassy in downtown Cairo. Shouting “Down with military power!” the protesters lobbed stones at the soldiers, who responded by throwing them back and trying to disperse the crowd. The soldiers then returned to their position, where they were joined by a group of civilians, who also threw stones at the protesters. Earlier, two civilian groups, one of them demanding the expulsion of the US ambassador, had clashed in front of the embassy, hurling stones at each other. After months of pressure from Washington, 13 foreign defendants accused of receiving illicit foreign funds to operate unlicensed NGOs, including six Americans, were allowed to leave the country after posting bail last week, sparking outrage in Egypt. A travel ban was lifted after the trial judges recused themselves in the face of what they said was intervention by the authorities. The US Embassy in Cairo would not reveal to Bikyamasr.com when the ambassador would be returning to Cairo, saying the security situation at the embassy is “under control.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/6b38s Tags: featured, Patterson, Protest, United States Section: Egypt, Latest News, North America
