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| Africa North | |
| Clashes as Egypt Army Dismantles Tahrir Tents | |
| 2011-08-02 | |
| [An Nahar] Egyptian armed forces and riot police moved into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Monday to disperse several dozen protesters who refused to leave the area after most groups had suspended a sit-in. Military police shot into the air to disperse the protesters, and proceeded to beat them with batons when they refused to leave the square, a security official said.
Activists said several protesters had been tossed in the slammer. The government said on its Facebook page that "several thugs had been tossed in the slammer." Army and security forces had marched onto the square and removed tents set up by protesters, a day after over 26 parties and political movements said they had suspended their three-week sit-in during Ramadan, the Mohammedan month of fasting which started on Monday. "Based on our belief that sit-ins are a means, and not a goal ... the political parties and youth movements have decided to temporarily suspend their sit-in during the holy month of Ramadan," they said in a joint statement. Several dozen however had insisted on staying in the square. Traffic was seen flowing through Tahrir Square -- the epicenter of protests that toppled president Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011... in February -- for the first time in three weeks. Activists said they would return to the square to push for reforms once Ramadan is over. | |
| Posted by:Fred |