Egypt army moves to stop assault on protesters

[babylonsister]

Egypt army moves to stop assault on protesters
AP

By MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press Maggie Michael, Associated Press – 51 mins ago


CAIRO – Egyptian army tanks and soldiers cleared away pro-government rioters and deployed between them and protesters seeking the fall of President Hosni Mubarak, moving to halt violence as the prime minister made an unprecedented apology Thursday for the assault by regime backers that turned central Cairo into a battle zone.

Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said the attack Wednesday on the anti-Mubarak protesters was a "blatant mistake," acknowledged it was likely organized and promised to investigate who was behind it.

The protesters accuse the regime of organizing the assault, using paid thugs and policemen in civilian clothes, in an attempt to crush their movement. Government supporters charged the protest camp in central Tahrir Square Wednesday afternoon, sparking uncontrolled violence that lasted until the next morning, as the two sides battled with rocks, sticks, bottles and firebombs and soldiers largely stood by without intervening.

Thursday morning, the army fanned out to separate the two sides and allowed thousands more protesters to enter their camp in the square. Soldiers then stepped aside as the anti-government side surged ahead in the afternoon in resumed clashes.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110203/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt

[flpoljunkie]

1. Egypt Prime Minister: Anti-Mubarak protestors 'Likely organized?'

Obviously, the protestors are right--the regime did organize the assault. These thugs were evidently bussed in by the Mubarak regime.

[Avant Guardian]

2. I believe this is damage control

He tried to make it look like, 'supporters,' were doing this, but stood by and let it happen. Now its too late to undo because the whole planet sees through it.


Too late Mubarak.