Mubarak backers open fire at protesters - witness
CAIRO (Reuters) - Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak opened fire on Thursday on protesters demanding he quit, wounding seven, a witness said, after what many saw as an attempted government-backed crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.
Pro-government protesters (L) clash with anti-government protesters outside the National Museum near Tahrir square in Cairo early February 3, 2011. (REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis)
Al Arabiya television quoted a doctor at the scene as saying one protester was killed as fresh fighting erupted in Cairo's Tahrir Square during the night. Two more protesters were injured by stones, the witness said.
Mubarak promised on Tuesday to surrender power in September to try to defuse an unprecedented challenge to his 30-year-rule, angering protesters who want him to quit immediately and prompting the United States to say change "must begin now".
A day later, the army told reformists to go home and Mubarak backers, throwing petrol bombs, wielding sticks and charging on camels and horses, attacked protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
Anti-Mubarak demonstrators hurled stones back and said the attackers were police in plainclothes. The Interior Ministry denied the accusation, and the Egyptian government rejected international calls for Mubarak to end his 30-year rule now.
This apparent rebuff along with the spike in violence -- after days of relatively calm demonstrations -- complicated U.S. calculations for an orderly transition of power in Egypt.
In pointed comments, a senior U.S. official said it was clear that "somebody loyal to Mubarak has unleashed these guys to try to intimidate the protesters".
By nightfall on Wednesday, the protesters were still holding their ground in Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the hub for protests over oppression and economic hardship now into their 10th day.
Skirmishes continued well into the night and there was sporadic gunfire, with blazes caused by firebombs. But by about 3 am (0100 GMT) on Thursday the square had calmed down somewhat, but around an hour later gunfire rang out across the square.
At least 145 people have been killed so far and there have been protests across the country. United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay said up to 300 people may have died.
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Clashes between supporters of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and protesters determined that he step down immediately have broken out in Cairo's central Tahrir Square. Photo credit to BBC News.
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