CAIRO - Wednesday's clashes between proand anti-regime factions in Cairo's Al Tahrir Square, which left at least three persons dead and more than 1,000 injured, have triggered anger and fears among Egyptians. Their anger appears to be growing fuelled by claims that the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) is preparing for another attack on the young protesters. "Aggression against the protesters is aggression against Egypt," read a banner waving over a protest in Al Tahrir Square yesterday. "A new attack on the protesters – with virtually no official support and deep popular opposition – could only reinforce the frustration at the police,” inefficiency Sayyed Amr, a student, told The Egyptian Gazette. As the buildup of forces has continued in Al Tahrir Square, following the bloody clashes, protests in Egypt have grown. The extent of the danger is hard to judge, say observers. "The NDP is accused of masterminding attacks,"Sayyed said. With homemade arms readily available throughout the anti Government protesters, more attacks would not be difficult to mount. "The Government has to deal with angry public opinion after the Wednesday clashes. This is very dangerous," Salah Abdul Aal, a protester, said. Abdul Aal, a Government employee, said that instead of launching a constructive dialogue with the angry youth, the (Government) resorted to violence to flush out the protesters from Al Tahrir Square. "It is lamentable. This violence will lead to more violence especially today, which is called The Departure Friday," Abdul Aal added. Meanwhile, Salwa Hafez, who welcomed President Hosni Mubarak's speech on Tuesday night, has made it clear that this 'unjustified violence on Wednesday, would breed more violence. "I do not want any attack launched by the thugs against the protesters, who are our sons and younger brothers," Hafez told this newspaper. She called on the Government to refrain from taking any act to stoke up tension, and urged the protesters to compromise and avoid creating any anti-State attitude. However, Hassan Saleh, called for an immediate probe into the Wednesday clashes, denouncing what he said was an unjustified violence against the protesters. "The big issue is the failure of the Army and the police to stop the attacks against the protesters.” Saleh's comments were prompted by the deaths of three persons during the clashes. Some satellite TV channels claimed that secret policemen have participated in attacking the protesters. The Ministry of Interior dismissed these claims as baseless. However, Saleh stressed that there was urgent need to launch an official investigation into these incidents and establish the identity of the people behind them. Saleh was scathing over how quickly the rumours that the ruling party and the police were behind these attacks had gained credibility following Al Tahrir Square clashes because the Ahmed Shafiq Government failed to give any explanation to the people. "This, combined with incorrect interpretations of the satellite channels and some Egyptian and Arab analysts, have been deeply hurtful to the families of the victims," Saleh said.
