US denounces Egypt attack on protesters

The US has denounced attacks on peaceful protesters and journalists in Cairo on Wednesday as anarchy in Egypt flamed on with anti-government protesters fighting it out with supporters of Hosni Mubarak in the capital’s main square.

“After days of peaceful protests in Cairo and other cities in Egypt, today we see violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators and journalists,” said a statement by US

Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley.

“The United States denounces these attacks and calls on all engaged in demonstrations currently taking place in Egypt to do so peacefully,” he said.

“These attacks are not only dangerous to Egypt; they are a direct threat to the aspirations of the Egyptian people. The use of violence to intimidate the Egyptian people must stop. We strongly call for restraint,” he said.

Gunshots rang in the air as fists, stones, clubs and bottles rained on either side in a scene of uncontrolled violence in Cairo on Wednesday as the two sides clashed around the Tahrir Square in front of the Egyptian Musuem.

The Mubarak supporters, said to be from the country?s police force by the opponents, took on anti-government protesters riding on horses and camels even as many of them were brought down and beaten up.

Troops stationed on the sidelines remained mute spectators as bricks and firebombs were seen being hurled from rooftops by Mubarak-supporters onto the crowd below injuring many.

The violence only seemed to surge on Wednesday after Mubarak went on live television said he would serve through his 30-year-rule till September. He promised not to stand for the elections to be held in seven months? time.