Protesters calling for army to join demonstrations
President Hosni Mubarak has ordered the army to back police and security forces in suppressing the violent street protests in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other Egyptian cities. As the military drove armoured vehicles through Cairo’s streets, protesters reportedly cheered and chanted for the army to support them. According to Al Jazeera TV, there have been unconfirmed reports of army personnel clashing with police. “The army is a respected establishment in Egypt,” Al Jazeera’s Ayman Mohyeldin said, “and many feel they need their support against what they see as excessive force by the police and security forces.” On Friday, the Mubarak government imposed a 6 p.m. curfew. Protestors defied the curfew and responded by setting the governing party’s headquarters on fire. So far, about 870 protestors have been wounded, including some showing signs of bullet wounds.