Egyptian junta imposes overnight curfew

“A curfew has been imposed in Cairo’s Abbasiya Square, around the Defense Ministry and the surrounding streets,” said General Mukhtar al-Mulla, a member of the ruling SCAF, in a televised address on Friday.

The curfew started at 11 p.m. (2100 GMT) and will last until 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Saturday.

Earlier, at least two people were killed and 300 others, including security forces, were injured in area around the Defense Ministry building in clashes between Egyptian forces and protesters demonstrating against the ruling military council.

Also on Friday, tens of thousands of anti-junta demonstrators took to the streets in the northeastern seaport city of Suez to demand the ouster of the military rulers.

The demonstrations were called by the Muslim Brotherhood less than three weeks ahead of the country’s first presidential election since the ouster of long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak.

On Wednesday, 20 people were killed and dozens were injured in clashes between anti-SCAF protesters and government supporters near the Defense Ministry in Cairo.

The protesters were angry about the disqualification of some Islamic presidential candidates and demanded a quick handover of power to civilians.

Egypt’s presidential election is scheduled to be held over two days on May 23 and 24, while a run-off will be held from June 16 to 17, if necessary.

MHB/MF/HGL

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