DUSHANBE, February 3, 2011, Asia-Plus — Egyptians in the capital were tense amid fears that renewed clashes could occur between pro-democracy protesters and President Hosni Mubarak”s loyalists in the central Tahrir [Liberation] Square on Thursday, Al Jazeera reports.
Activists in Cairo confirmed that there were more demonstrators – from both sides – on their way to the square, an Al Jazeera online producer said from the scene.
Car-loads of regime loyalists were reportedly headed towards Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the demonstrations. They seemed organised and commanded by ringleaders, Al Jazeera correspondents observed.
This came after heavy gunfire aimed at pro-democracy demonstrators left seven people dead early on Thursday morning, according to local doctors. The government puts the figure at five deaths, but confirmed that about 800 people have been injured.
Violent clashes began on Wednesday when Mubarak”s supporters charged into Tahrir Square, clashing with the pro-democracy demonstrators gathered there for days.
Pro-democracy protesters began to defend themselves as camel and horse riding men forcefully barreled their way into the square, which had been peaceful for more than a week. A bloody clash ensued as the assailing men used knives, clubs and other weapons.
Ahmed Shafiq, Egypt”s prime minister, apologized for Wednesday”s events, saying there will be an investigation into the violence. This comes as the cabinet denied it played any role in the attacks against the pro-democracy demonstrators.
Shafiq also made an offer for talks with opposition parties. Although some groups accepted, Mohamed ElBaradei, the leading opposition figure rejected the offer until the demand for Mubarak to step down was met.
Negotiations are also being held between Omar Suleiman, Egypt’s vice-president, and national political forces, according to Egypt”s state TV.
Meanwhile, five EU nations – Britain, France, Gernamy, Italy and Spain – released a joint statement urging an immediate political transition to end the violent unrest.
On Thursday, the tenth day of protests, pro-democracy demonstrators in the square deviated from their regular chants calling for Mubarak to step down, and began to call for him to face the capital punishment, for what they say is a “murderous regime.”
Some pro-democracy demonstrators called on their fellow protesters to cease clashing with pro-regime opponents, following the earlier bloody confrontations. But activists in Cairo confirmed pro-democracy protesters would again attend demonstrations on Thursday.
While the pro-democracy camp seems to be a collection of individuals without a leader or any clear direction, Al Jazeera correspondents on the ground report that the regime loyalists had more guidance during Wednesday”s clashes, with officers even directing them on the ground.
On Thursday, sixty-two Egyptian human rights organisations warned against internal violence in Egypt due to President Mubarak’s insistence to stay in office. The group called for the need for military intervention to protect the protesters, and a withdrawal of what they described as abuses by thugs and gunmen from the streets. They added that they were suspicious of the seriousness of Mubarak”s pledge to not seek re-election when his term expires in September, since this coincided with the attacks on demonstrators in Tahrir Square.
