Attack on Egyptian protesters, 20 killed | Irish Sun

Attack on Egyptian protesters, 20 killed

Irish Sun Wednesday 2nd May, 2012

• Trouble erupted at dawn when an armed group attacked protesters

• They used rocks, firebombs, shotguns at the protesters demanding immediate end to military rule

• Protestors were camping outside the defence ministry

CAIRO - At least 20 people were killed in an attack by unknown armed men on Egyptian protesters near the defense ministry building in Cairo Wednesday, according to media reports.

According to media reports, clashes erupted between assailants armed with rocks, clubs and firebombs and hundreds of protesters who had been camping out near the ministry for days.

The protestors were calling for an end to the military rule in the country.

The BBC reported that soldiers and police intervened to stop the clashes, but six hours after the violence started.

The deadly clash is the latest in more than a year of turmoil in Egypt after Hosni Mubarak was ousted and comes just three weeks ahead of scheduled presidential elections.

Two leading presidential candidates have suspended campaigning in protest at the way authorities handled it.

Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh, an independent, and Mohammed Mursi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), criticised the way the military rulers responded to the clash.

The FJP and the Salafist Nour party, which together control 70 per cent of the seats in parliament, decided to boycott a meeting with the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF).

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