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After Tunis and Lebanon, Egypt protest pose critical threat to the Mubarak Regime |
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Written by Administrator
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After Friday prayers, tens of thousands of people joined protests in Cairo and other cities across the country to demand the end of Mr Mubarak's 30-year rule. At several locations, riot police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas, and by using water cannon.
President Hosni Mubarak, facing the biggest challenge to his authority of his 31 years in power, has ordered the army onto the streets of Cairo. The curfew is now in effect, but live television pictures from Cairo continue to show large crowds on the streets.
Flames have been seen from the area around the headquarters of the governing National Democratic Party (NDP) in Cairo. Army vehicles have also been seen on the streets of Cairo.
Internet and phone services - both mobile and landline - have been severely disrupted, although protesters are using proxies to work around the restrictions.
Sources say Mohamed ElBaradei has been placed under house arrest. Earlier, he was soaked by water cannon and surrounded by police as he joined protesters on the streets of Cairo.
At least eight people have been killed and dozens injured since the protests against unemployment, corruption and rising prices began on Tuesday. Up to 1,000 people have been arrested.
The protests took place despite widespread disruptions to internet and mobile-phone connections from early on Friday.
Mobile operator Vodafone Egypt said in a statement: "All mobile operators in Egypt have been instructed to suspend services in selected areas. Under Egyptian legislation the authorities have the right to issue such an order and we are obliged to comply with it."
Mr Mubarak is expected to make a statement.
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