Attack on anti-army protesters

SOLDIERS stormed a protest camp outside Egypt’s Cabinet building yesterday, beating women with sticks and hurling chunks of concrete and glass on to protesters from the roof of the parliament only a day after historic elections.

The crackdown by the ruling military was an attempt to drive away protesters who have been camped out in front of the building for three weeks demanding the armed forces relinquish power.

Several women protesters cowered on the pavement as military police beat them with truncheons and sticks. Soldiers were seen dragging another woman away by her hair.

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Plainclothes and uniformed security officers were witnessed throwing slabs of concrete and stones on protesters from the roof of the parliament building. State TV footage, videos and photos of the attack were posted online by activists. Protesters threw fire bombs and stones in response, igniting part of the parliament as they chanted: “Down with the military.”

The mayhem – which came despite promises from the army-appointed premier that no-one would try to clear the protesters by force – threatens a new round of violence after deadly clashes in November that lasted for days and left more than 40 dead.

The military took power on 11 February after protests forced out president Hosni Mubarak.

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