News / Africa
Egyptian police to use live ammunition on protesters
16 Aug 2013 at 11:40hrs | Views
The Egyptian military is deploying to guard "vital installations" ahead of mass anti-government protests across Egypt Friday. Police are threatening to use live weapons to protect themselves against protesters who say they will not give up their fight.
Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande plans to speak by phone separately to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron Friday to discuss the events in Egypt.
Egyptian army soldiers take their positions on top and next to their armored vehicles while guarding an entrance to Tahrir square, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013.Egyptian army soldiers take their positions on top and next to their armored vehicles while guarding an entrance to Tahrir square, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013.
Egyptian authorities accuse the Brotherhood and Morsi supporters of terrorism and sabotage. The Brotherhood says the country is returning to military tyranny.
On Wednesday, Egyptian police used guns, armored vehicles and bulldozers to destroy two large Cairo protest camps. The official death toll from that violence stands at 638, but the Brotherhood puts it in the thousands.
Journalists and witnesses report seeing makeshift morgues and improvised hospitals with blood-covered floors loaded with bodies.
U.S. President Barack Obama has canceled next month's scheduled military exercises with Egypt, an event Egypt always eagerly anticipates.
Obama says traditional cooperation cannot continue when civilians are being killed in the streets.
U.S. Defense Secretary Charles Hagel telephoned Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel al-Sisi, telling him the violence puts longtime cooperation with Egypt at risk.
Also Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Egypt and urged American citizens to leave.
Egypt's interim interior minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, says police used minimum force against the camps and only fired tear gas. He blamed the Brotherhood for creating what he called a state of mayhem across the country by shooting at police, attacking government buildings and burning churches.
Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande plans to speak by phone separately to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron Friday to discuss the events in Egypt.
Egyptian army soldiers take their positions on top and next to their armored vehicles while guarding an entrance to Tahrir square, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013.Egyptian army soldiers take their positions on top and next to their armored vehicles while guarding an entrance to Tahrir square, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013.
Egyptian authorities accuse the Brotherhood and Morsi supporters of terrorism and sabotage. The Brotherhood says the country is returning to military tyranny.
On Wednesday, Egyptian police used guns, armored vehicles and bulldozers to destroy two large Cairo protest camps. The official death toll from that violence stands at 638, but the Brotherhood puts it in the thousands.
U.S. President Barack Obama has canceled next month's scheduled military exercises with Egypt, an event Egypt always eagerly anticipates.
Obama says traditional cooperation cannot continue when civilians are being killed in the streets.
U.S. Defense Secretary Charles Hagel telephoned Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel al-Sisi, telling him the violence puts longtime cooperation with Egypt at risk.
Also Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Egypt and urged American citizens to leave.
Egypt's interim interior minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, says police used minimum force against the camps and only fired tear gas. He blamed the Brotherhood for creating what he called a state of mayhem across the country by shooting at police, attacking government buildings and burning churches.
Source - VOA
