Egypt clashes resumed between security forces and anti-military rule protesters, as the death toll of the five-day unrest rose to 12 and the number of injured people surpassed 500.
Egypt clashes resumed between security forces and anti-military rule protesters, as the death toll of the five-day unrest rose to 12 and the number of injured people surpassed 500.
Police and soldiers using batons, water cannons and tear gas drove over night stone-throwing protesters out of Cairo's Tahrir Square, core of the uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak in February.
On Monday, the ruling military council said it had uncovered an alleged plot to burn down the Parliament.
General Adel Emara, a member of the ruling military council, interrupted a live news conference to say he had received a call about a "plot to burn parliament and there are now large crowds in Tahrir Square ready to implement the plan".
Emara was addressing the clashes during the televised news conference on Saturday, and he defended the military's use of force against the protesters, saying the army had a duty to protect the nation's installations.
"What are we supposed to do when protesters break the law?" Emara asked. "Should we invite people from abroad to govern our nation?"
He said an investigation into the clashes and the media's coverage of them was under way. "The media is helping sabotage the state. This is certain."
“RUTHLESS VIOLENCE”
On the other hand, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned authorities for staging “ruthless violence” and “inhuman acts” in handling protests.
The UN official said in a statement on Monday, “The graphic images of protesters, including women, being brutally clubbed and assaulted, long after the point when they are showing any resistance, are utterly shocking.”
“People lying motionless on the ground are shown on film being smashed on the head and body with sticks. These are life-threatening and inhuman acts that cannot possibly be justified under the guise of restoration of security or crowd control," Pillay added.
For her part the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, also weighed in, saying she was "deeply concerned about the continuing reports of violence".
"I urge Egyptian security forces to respect and protect the universal rights of all Egyptians, including the rights to peaceful free expression and assembly," said Clinton.
