Egyptian riot police fired tear gas at protesters demanding Egypt's army relinquish
power in a sixth night of violence. Scores of young men, coughing and gasping for
air stumbled into dark side streets off Cairo’s Tahrir Square to escape the acrid
smoke during the battle with police. But undeterred, tens of thousands still thronged
the square peacefully throughout the night to protest at the deaths of more than 30
people in the violence and reject the army's offer of a referendum on its rule.
The
United Nations strongly condemned authorities for what it deemed an excessive use
of force. UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said yesterday she deplored the role of
Egypt's security forces in attempting to suppress protesters.
The demonstrations
were continuing despite concessions promised by the head of the Egypt’s ruling military
council. The clashes are the longest spate of uninterrupted violence since the 18-day
uprising that toppled the former regime in February.