Egypt crisis: Guns fired in central Cairo early Thursday
Vehicles burn in front of Cairo's Egyptian Museum early Thursday as people protesting against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak face off against pro-Mubarak crowds.
February 2nd, 2011
10:35 PM ET

Egypt crisis: Guns fired in central Cairo early Thursday

Read full coverage of the unrest in Egypt updated continually by CNN reporters worldwide. Send your photos and video to iReport and see CNN in Arabic here. See also this strong roundup of timely, insightful views on the wave of upheaval in the Arab world.

[Update 5:35 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 10:35 p.m. ET Wednesday] The U.S. State Department has offered via Twitter an amended advisory to U.S. citizens in Egypt, saying now that those who wish to depart Egypt on a U.S. government-chartered flight should report to the airport "ASAP after the morning end of curfew."

Earlier, the department tweeted that such U.S. citizens should report to the airport immediately.

[Update 5:16 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 10:16 p.m. ET Wednesday] All remaining U.S. citizens who wish to depart Egypt on a U.S. government-chartered flight "should report to airport immediately," the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs said via Twitter minutes ago.

"Further delay is not advisable," the tweet said.

The State Department offers further information for U.S. citizens in Egypt on the department's website.

[Update 4:51 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 9:51 p.m. ET Wednesday] CNN's Ivan Watson, reporting on the gunfire that was heard in central Cairo minutes ago, said it took place along the barricaded edges of Tahrir Square, where anti-government protesters stayed through the night, facing off with pro-government people.

CNN personnel are seeing wounded being carried into Tahrir Square from the Egyptian Museum entrance to the square. Ambulances also are coming into the square.

Watson reported that he could hear both automatic gunfire and single shots, and that perhaps six young men - possibly wounded - were carried away. One appeared to have been shot in the abdomen, Watson reported.

[Update 4:33 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 9:33 p.m. ET Wednesday] Heavy gunfire reverberated in central Cairo early Thursday as anti- and pro-government protesters continued to face off at Tahrir Square.

[Update 3:43 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 8:43 p.m. ET Wednesday] Chartered flights evacuating U.S. citizens from Cairo will run again on Thursday, but after that, U.S. officials will assess whether the operation should be continued, the U.S. State Department said.

More than 1,900 U.S. citizens and their family members have left Egypt since an evacuation operation began Monday, according to State Department statement. The State Department has been providing passage for any U.S. citizen wishing to leave Egypt.

[Update 3:28 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 8:28 p.m. ET Wednesday] In the video below, CNN's Ivan Watson reports on the Molotov cocktails that have been thrown Wednesday night and Thursday morning between supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and anti-Mubarak protesters outside Cairo's Egyptian Museum.

Watson reports of a "constant stream of wounded people being brought from these front lines between these two warring camps," and "people being treated along the sidewalks, underneath the street lamps ... by medics in lab coats."

"We've seen teams of opposition protesters who've been hard at work digging up the asphalt here in Tahrir Square to pull out stones to use as ammunition in the ongoing battles that have gone thoughout the day," Watson said early Thursday.

[Update 3:15 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 8:15 p.m. ET Wednesday] Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman has reiterated the government stance that the people have been heard, that they should go home and that they should stop demonstrating.

Protesters should respect the curfew and "enable people to return to their jobs and their daily lives, and to allow schools and universities to reopen," he said in a statement.

People protesting against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak still are in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Some of them have set up sheet-metal barricades outside the Egyptian Museum to hold off some pro-Mubarak crowds, who on Wednesday engaged in bloody clashes with the protesters. The pro-Mubarak people, who dwindled in number Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, still are lobbing Molotov cocktails at the protesters.

The Health Ministry has said three people died and 639 were injured in Wednesday's clashes in Cairo. CNN reporters at the square early Thursday morning say medics have been tending to the wounded in makeshift triage areas, and ambulances were arriving every few minutes. The Egyptian military is at the square and the museum but generally have stood by during the clashes, CNN reporters have said.

[Update 2:54 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 7:54 p.m. ET Wednesday] The video below is a roundup, from CNN's correspondents in Cairo, of what happened during Wednesday's demonstrations and clashes between anti-Mubarak protesters and people supporting the president.

[Update 2:21 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 7:21 p.m. ET Wednesday] At least three fires are burning outside Cairo's Egyptian Museum as people supporting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak throw Molotov cocktails toward anti-Mubarak protesters, CNN's Anderson Cooper reports.

The number in the pro-Mubarak crowd has dwindled, and anti-Mubarak protesters - having slowly advanced behind tall sheets of metal - have controlled the area in front of the museum near Tahrir Square for the past few hours. Anti-Mubarak protesters have been banging on the metal into the night. Some of them are having to dodge Molotov cocktails thrown by the other side, Cooper said.

"Every time one of the Molotov cocktails thrown by the pro-Mubarak forces hits inside a crowd of people in the anti-Mubarak group, you can hear a cheer going up from the pro-Mubarak side," Cooper said.

Sustained automatic weapons fire also could be heard early Thursday around Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of nine days of protests calling for Mubarak's ouster.

[Update 2:15 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 7:15 p.m. ET Wednesday] Ambulances were arriving every few minutes early Thursday at a hospital about a 10-minute drive from Tahrir Square, scene of bloody mayhem in Cairo. Many of the wounded have injuries to the head. Others have stab wounds or were burned by Molotov cocktails.

[Update 1:15 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 6:15 p.m. ET Wednesday] A tree outside Cairo's Egyptian Museum appears to be on fire, and Molotov cocktails still ocassionally are being thrown between groups of protesters, CNN's Hala Gorani reports.

People protesting against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak earlier pushed back pro-Mubarak crowds from the street in front of the museum, near Tahrir Square. Though Molotov cocktails still are being thrown, the two sides don't appear to be in physical contact.

[Update 12:40 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 5:40 p.m. ET Wednesday] In the following video, CNN's Anderson Cooper reports on being attacked as he and colleagues tried to approach supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Wednesday.

[Update 12:16 a.m. Thursday in Cairo, 5:16 p.m. ET Wednesday] People protesting against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak appear to have pushed pro-Mubarak crowds away from Cairo's Egyptian Museum, though the two sides still are clashing, with Molotov cocktails being thrown, CNN's Anderson Cooper and Ivan Watson report. Molotov cocktails have been thrown for hours.

A few vehicles have been set on fire in front of the museum. The military is there, but is not doing much other than putting out fires in front of the museum, Watson said.

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people are still in and around Tahrir Square, Watson reported. Medics are tending to some wounded people, and many protesters are wearing slings or bandages, Watson said.

[Update 11:58 p.m. Cairo, 4:58 p.m. ET] Three people died and 639 were injured in clashes Wednesday in Cairo's Tahrir Square, the Egyptian health minister told state-run Nile TV.

[Update 11:50 p.m. Cairo, 4:50 p.m. ET] The Cairo bureau chief for Al-Arabiya tells CNN that protesters beat two Al-Arabiya reporters and harassed a third in separate incidents Wednesday. In one incident in Giza, people stole an Al-Arabiya reporter's watch and beat him - he eventually was rescued and taken to a hospital, where he was in an intensive care unit, the bureau chief said. In a second incident, in Cairo's Tahrir Square, a reporter was "beaten like hell" after he identified himself as working for Al-Arabiya, the bureau chief said.

[Update 11:35 p.m. Cairo, 4:35 p.m. ET] Late Wednesday, anti-Mubarak protesters near the Egyptian Museum were appearing to be gaining more ground in their clashes with the president's supporters, CNN's Anderson Cooper reported. It remained unclear whether such confrontations were being repeated elsewhere.

A state-run Nile TV flashed a warning ordering people to adhere to a government-imposed curfew and clear out of Tahrir Square, but a crowd - though a less intense one - remained in the downtown plaza into the night.

In the following video, CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports that although the number of protesters outside Cairo's Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square was decreasing late Wednesday, people still were tossing petrol bombs.

[Update 11:19 p.m. Cairo, 4:19 p.m. ET] Via Twitter, CNN's Nic Robertson reported: "Alexandria protesters say they plan big event on Friday, describe as the 'day of farewell to #Mubarak #egypt #jan25"

Robertson also tweeted that an Alexandria protest organizer said: "'This is the day that we hope Egypt can be finally free of #Mubarak, his dynasty & his thugs."

[Update 11:10 p.m. Cairo, 4:10 p.m. ET] The United States doesn't know the identity of "thugs" who attacked anti-government protesters Wednesday in Egypt, but others have identified them as "supporters of the government," U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters.

"This was clearly an attempt at intimidating the protesters," Crowley said.

[Update 10:55 p.m. Cairo, 3:55 p.m. ET] Leaders from the United Nations, the United Kingdom and Germany have joined a chorus of condemnation of Wednesday's eruption of violence in Cairo.

[Update 10:27 p.m. Cairo, 3:27 p.m. ET] A journalist captured these images of people throwing rocks, brandishing knives and tending to injured people during protests in central Cairo, near Tahrir Square, on Wednesday:

[Update 10:07 p.m. Cairo, 3:06 p.m. ET] Some of the protesters on the streets of Cairo are now targeting journalists. A Belgian reporter on Wednesday was arrested, beaten and accused of being a spy by men in plain clothes in the central Cairo neighborhood of Choubra, and in Tahrir Square, journalists from the BBC, Al-Arabiya, ABC News and CNN - including CNN's Anderson Cooper and Hala Gorani - also were attacked.

Cooper said he was hit on the head by a protester. Gorani said she slammed against some gates and threatened after getting caught in a stampede of protesters and counter-protesters riding on camels and horses Wednesday morning.

[Update 9:45 p.m. Cairo, 2:45 p.m. ET] Egypt's health minister said 611 people were injured in clashes in Cairo's Tahrir square Wednesday, state-run television reported.

Earlier today, Ministry of Health officials told state TV that at least one member of the Egyptian security forces was and more than 400 people were wounded in clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in Cairo. Most injuries were head wounds from thrown rocks, Egyptian Health Minister Ahmed Sameh Fareed said.

[Update 9:30 p.m. Cairo, 2:30 p.m. ET] A spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry says demonstrations by supporters of the Mubarak government are spontaneous and not orchestrated by the government. He also said the men on horseback and camels who rode into Tahrir Square earlier Wednesday were workers from the Pyramids whose business has been hurt by the unrest.

[Update 9:24 p.m. Cairo, 2:24 p.m. ET] CORRECTION:The blog entry below posted at 9:24 p.m. Cairo time incorrectly quoted a comment made by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Wednesday regarding violence between anti-government protesters and government supporters in Egypt. Gibbs said, "And it is - it is our hope that what we saw today we won't see tomorrow or Friday or into the weekend. Obviously, this is - this is going to take - this is not all going to be wrapped up in a matter of hours. It's going to take some time."

The violence witnessed Wednesday between anti-government protesters and government supporters in Egypt "won't end tomorrow, or Friday, or by the weekend," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, adding: "This is not all going to be wrapped up in a matter of hours. It's going to take some time."

[Update 9:18 p.m. Cairo, 2:18 p.m. ET] CNN's Anderson Cooper describes how demonstrators are arming themselves as he watches gasoline bombs being lobbed from a rooftop.

[Update 9:05 p.m. Cairo, 2:05 p.m. ET] The State Department reported Wednesday that one flight for U.S. citizens was confirmed to have left Egypt. The department advises citizens who are having difficulty reaching the airport to stay indoors until demonstrations subside and make their way to the airport Thursday after curfew ends.

[Update 8:54 p.m. Cairo, 1:54 p.m. ET] Via Twitter, CNN's Nic Robertson reported: "This morning, Alexandria seemed on verge of going back to normal but early calm evaporated when aggressive pro-Mubarak groups showed up. ... Seeing more vigilante checkpoints around Alexandria. Protesters keen to avoid confrontation with pro-Mubarak groups."

[Update 8:31 p.m. Cairo, 1:31 p.m. ET] The time for a political transition in Egypt "is now" because the Egyptian people "need to see change," and a "meaningful transition must include opposition voices and parties being involved in this process as we move toward free and fair elections," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Wednesday.

If the Egyptian government is instigating any of the violence occurring on the streets of Cairo, "it should stop immediately," Gibbs said.

A spokesman for Egypt's Foreign Ministry called on international leaders to butt out of the country's internal strife, telling CNN, "We know what is in the best interest of our society." Hossam Zaki said the clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in Cairo reflect "the very raw and high emotions" of the Egyptian people, and "what is required now is for people to calm down."

[Update 8:17 p.m. Cairo, 1:17 p.m. ET] Peaceful protests have been taking place Wednesday in other neighborhoods of Cairo - Mohandessin, Heliopolis and Corniche - and the rural cities of El-Minya and El-Mahalla, CNN's Ben Wedeman reported. Most of the demonstrators in those places appear to be women, children, scholars and Coptic priests, he reported.

[Update 8:01 p.m. Cairo, 1:01 p.m. ET] More than 400 people have been wounded in clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators in Cairo, Egyptian Health Minister Ahmed Sameh Fareed told state television Wednesday. Most injuries were head wounds from thrown rocks, he said.

[Update 7:47 p.m. Cairo, 12:47 p.m. ET] At least one member of the Egyptian security forces was killed Wednesday in clashes in and around Cairo's Tahrir Square, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Abdel Rahman Shaheen, said on state television.

[Update 7:31 p.m. Cairo, 12:31 p.m. ET] CNN iReporter Hunter Moore, 26, is an American teacher in Cairo who is certified in CPR and first aid, and has been working with doctors and other volunteers to provide medical aid to injured protesters outside Tahrir Square. He says they are only treating the anti-government protesters; the pro-Mubarak protesters are getting so badly injured that they're being sent directly to the army for treatment. "All the medics and the doctors, they just don't want to see people killing one another," he said. He shot these photos Friday and earlier this week.

[Update 7 p.m. Cairo, noon ET] The army is not deliberately allowing the violence to continue, Egypt's finance minister says, it's been ordered not to hurt anyone.

[Update 6:55 p.m. Cairo, 11:55 a.m. ET] Numerous gasoline bombs were hurled on a street alongside Tahrir Square, starting small fires that were put out by military water cannon:


[Update 6:15 p.m. Cairo, 11:15 a.m. ET] A CNN journalist in Alexandria said pro-Mubarak demonstrators in Sidi Jaber Square left after a rally near the railway station, leaving only anti-Mubarak demonstrators still camping there. Journalists saw a small pro-Mubarak crowd demonstrating near Saad Zaghloul plaza with banners that said, "Yes, yes Mubarak" and "Where is the media to hear our voice?"

[Update 6:03 p.m. Cairo, 11:03 a.m. ET] CNN iReporter farahk8 sent in photos from among the Tahrir Square crowd during Tuesday's demonstrations. See them here.

[Update 5:56 p.m. Cairo, 10:56 a.m. ET] Video of the chaos in Tahrir Square from street level:

[Update 5:50 p.m. Cairo, 10:50 p.m. ET] CNN's Ivan Watson says opposition demonstrators inside Tahrir Square are surrounded by pro-Mubarak groups and fear a bloodbath after nightfall.

CNN's Ben Wedeman tweeted: "The only way out of Tahrir is thru army lines to the right of the mosque next to the Mogamaa." (The Mogamaa is a building that houses the Interior Ministry.) "People in Tahrir square begging Obama to intervene. They are terrified a bloodbath is about to occur."

[Update 5:35 p.m. Cairo, 10:35 a.m. ET] As darkness falls on Cairo, some faithful Muslims fall to their knees for evening prayers. Small fires from gasoline bombs, also known as Molotov cocktails, are quickly extinguished near the Egyptian Museum.

[Update 5:32 p.m. Cairo, 10:32 a.m. ET] CNN's Ben Wedeman, who was roughed up near Tahrir Square, tweeted: "I was not injured. Harassed? Yes. Appears the pro-government "demonstrators" have been given instructions to target press."

[Update 5:25 p.m. Cairo, 10:25 a.m. ET] CNN's Ivan Watson describes clashes taking place in front of the Egyptian Museum, home of Egypt's most precious antiquities, and how the military has been staying on the sidelines. Meanwhile, demonstrators dig up bricks from a construction site to use as weapons.

[Update 5:16 p.m. Cairo, 10:16 a.m. ET] White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told CNN, "We continue to watch the events very closely, and it underscores that the transition needs to begin now." Pressed on whether the administration is pulling further away from President Hosni Mubarak, Gibbs would only say that President Obama and other officials have made clear in recent days there needs to be "real change" in Egypt.

U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley tweeted: "We are concerned about detentions and attacks on news media in #Egypt. The civil society that Egypt wants to build includes a free press."

[Update 5:05 p.m. Cairo, 10:05 a.m. ET] Here is a video summary of the day's events in Egypt so far.

[Update 4:59 p.m. Cairo, 9:59 a.m. ET] CNN iReporter Marianamin is an American living in a suburb an hour north of Cairo. She says her friends and neighbors "don't know who they want in, but they just know they want Mubarak out. ... Their thinking is he had 30 years to make changes. Even though he's done a lot of good for business ... for a lot of average Egyptians, he's just let them down." See marianamin's photo and description of her experience.

[Update 4:50 p.m. Cairo, 9:50 p.m.] Anderson Cooper witnessed a huge crowd of Mubarak supporters surge across a no-man's land dividing them from the anti-Mubarak crowd and overturn a military vehicle on the street as a huge roar went up. A large cloud of smoke arose at the east entrance to Tahrir Square, Anderson said.

[Update 4:38 p.m. Cairo, 9:38 a.m. ET] Tear gas was fired near the entrance to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday, according to CNN journalists who are there.

According to the latest information obtained by the United States, the Egyptian government wants to use police to quell the demonstrations in the capital, a senior U.S. official said. "That may be why you do not see the Army reacting," the official said.

The source also said that, at this point, the violence is largely limited to central Cairo and has not spread to other parts of the country. The official said the major issue for the United States is to try to achieve some measure of stability in Egypt.

[Update 4:30 p.m. Cairo, 9:30 a.m. ET] Here is some of the top video from the past hour in Egypt. Check back each hour for the latest video.

CNN's Ivan Watson describes the rapidly changing scene:

Men on horseback charge into Tahrir Square:

Protesters bloodied in clashes:

Crowd turns violent

CNN's Ben Wedeman sees "utter chaos":

[Update 4:23 p.m. Cairo, 9:23 a.m. ET] Some members of the Egyptian Army were believed to be entering Tahrir Square. Military vehicles were separating pro- and anti-Mubarak demonstrators, and several gasoline bombs had been tossed, CNN's Anderson Cooper said.

The sound of gunfire was heard in Tahrir Square, CNN's Fred Pleitgen said on Twitter. The square has been surrounded by pro-Mubarak demonstrators who have blocked in anti-government demonstrators and others at the site, CNN's Ben Wedeman said.

[Update 3:58 p.m. Cairo, 8:58 a.m. ET] The United States believes that the Egyptian police are returning to the streets in Cairo and will be the first responders to the violence that has erupted, rather than the Egyptian army, a senior U.S. official with direct knowledge of the unfolding situation in Egypt told CNN Wednesday. "We are seeing preliminary indications the police are coming back in," the official said, stressing that the situation remains highly volatile and uncertain.

[Update 3:51 p.m. Cairo, 8:51 a.m. ET] Men with rocks in their hands lined a metal wall and pounded out a rhythm. CNN's Ivan Watson said this appeared to be a show of support for rock-throwers on the front lines as pro- and anti-Mubarak sides faced off. Injured men were carried to a makeshift clinic on Tahrir Square.

CNN's Ben Wedeman said he overheard a panicked army officer say the situation was out of control and there was nothing the army could do to restore order.

[Update 3:42 p.m. Cairo, 8:42 a.m. ET] CNN's Anderson Cooper said he and his production crew were attacked by pro-Mubarak demonstrators earlier Wednesday. The attackers pushed and shoved the CNN crew and punched them in the head, he said, but no one was seriously hurt.


[Update 3:36 p.m. Cairo, 8:36 a.m. ET] A crew of men were seen on video using tools to break up pavement near Tahrir Square, while others carried loads of rocks, presumably to be thrown at the opposing demonstrators. It wasn't known which side they supported.

[Update 3:17 p.m. Cairo, 8:17 a.m. ET] As hundreds of men lined up to kneel and pray in the street, a crowd less than 100 feet away could be seen surrounding and beating a man.

[Update 2:58 p.m. Cairo, 7:58 a.m. ET] Men on horseback and camels charged into the crowd at Cairo's Tahrir Square, some of them lashing people on the ground with whips. Several were pulled off their animals and beaten, and the others retreated. CNN's Ivan Watson said the horseback riders came from the pro-Mubarak side of the demonstration.

[Update 2:49 p.m. Cairo, 7:49 a.m. ET] The stone-throwing and fighting at Tahrir Square have suddenly stopped and people are hugging and chanting "We are one," CNN's Ivan Watson reports from his vantage point.

[Update 2:46 p.m. Cairo, 7:46 a.m. ET] CNN's Amir Ahmed said he has seen people with blood flowing from their heads after being injured by rocks. The clashes appear to be spreading to streets near the square, he said.

[Update 2:32 p.m. Cairo, 7:32 ET] Demonstrators for and against President Hosni Mubarak are throwing rocks at each other on Tahrir Square, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports. Police are absent from the square and military personnel are hanging back, he says.

[Update 2:19 p.m. Cairo, 7:19 a.m. ET] Competing rallies were being held Wednesday in Alexandria, Egypt, with several thousand people protesting against President Hosni Mubarak and a few hundred others supporting him, CNN Correspondent Nic Robertson reported.

In Cairo, Mubarak supporters broke through a barricade that had separated them from anti-government protesters in Tahrir Square. The military surrounded the square but there was nothing between the two sides to keep them apart.

[Update 12:37 p.m. Wednesday in Cairo, 5:37 a.m. ET Wednesday]The U.S. State Department "ordered departure" evacuation starts Wednesday with chartered planes planned to start flying out nonemergency personnel, their relatives and any American citizens who wish to evacuate.

Internet access is back in at least parts of Egypt, CNN has confirmed

[Update 11:51 a.m. Wednesday in Cairo, 4:51 a.m. ET Wednesday] The Egyptian defense ministry on Wednesday urged the youth to go back home, saying "your message is received ... your demands became known."

"And we are here and awake to protect the country for you," a spokesman for the ministry said in a television broadcast. "Not by power but by the love to Egypt ... it is time to go back to normal life."

[Update 11:28 a.m. Wednesday in Cairo, 4:28 a.m. ET Wednesday] Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said Wednesday he will not run for president nor hand over power to his son once his term ends in 2013. "No extension, no inheritance," he told parliament.

In recent weeks, thousands have taken to the streets in Yemen demanding the the kind of change that Egypt wants. Saleh has been in office for 32 years.

[Update 9:19 a.m. Wednesday in Cairo, 2:19 a.m. ET Wednesday] Shortly after sunrise Wednesday, Cairo's Tahrir Square was already packed with demonstrators - including families staying in tents with children.

Some demonstrators chanted in favor of Mubarak early Wednesday, calling the press "traitors" and "agents."

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the government would provide an emergency flight  for Australians affected by the unrest in Egypt. The flight will depart Cairo on Wednesday, according to a statement from her
office.

British carrier BMI says it has organized an extra flight to help British nationals get back to the United Kingdom from Egypt.

The  British Foreign Office is sending a charter flight to Cairo on Wednesday to fly back British citizens with no other way to get  home, the office said.

Egypt's national airline, EgyptAir, canceled flights until 10 a.m. Wednesday (3 a.m. ET), according to state television.

Greece has sent  military aircraft to evacuate 215 Greeks from Egypt,  the official Athens News Agency said.

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soundoff (1,350 Responses)
  1. DrMeyer

    (( USA is doing too little too late and always to join to winners))
    The only thing USA can say now is GET OUT MUBARAK otherwise USA lost all moral values and should never speak about democracy.

    MUST SEE!!!Egypt Revolution 2011 Demonstrators Vs police Fighting
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBtYLBQPRGQ

    February 2, 2011 at 1:06 pm | Report abuse |
    • Duane W

      Why should the USA even get involved or lose any credibility? Seems to me that there are hundreds of other nations (cough cough anyone in Europe paying attention) that should be involved right now, not us. It is amazing that when we don't get involved people get mad at us.....when we do people get mad at us. Make up your minds!

      February 2, 2011 at 1:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • rav

      what are u talking about USA don;t have to do to dork, why should we take other country headache we have lot to worry about in our country....go USA

      February 2, 2011 at 1:54 pm | Report abuse |
    • Alya

      well said Dr Meyer

      February 2, 2011 at 2:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • American2

      Seriously......we need to butt out. Actually we should sit back and pay very close attention because what you are seeing is not so far fetched right here. Once again lets play cop...probably because we've done such a great job running our affairs. Tell ys what wish em luck, cut off all aid and pay attention right here because we have our very own bullies in DC.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:09 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jake

      There is nothing that th US needs to do. We need to leave all of these countries alone. That means no more dollars, no more troops. Monitor them from time to time and send a gift from Tampa by air-mail when necessary. Gift = missile from a drone controlled from Tampa

      February 2, 2011 at 2:12 pm | Report abuse |
    • sara

      You should care and US cares because it provides just shy of $2 BILLION a year to Egypt in the name of mideast process!!! The money which is spent on egyptian military. Imagine that military turning against its inncocent people, the US will have blood on its hands. SO YES US should DO something and YOU SHOULD CARE

      February 2, 2011 at 2:15 pm | Report abuse |
    • ROZEN

      I don't know if you guys saw the footage of pro-Mobarok militias are attacking protesters. The people charging with horses and camels are the Egyptian police. Civilians in Cairo DON'T use horse or camel (only a few uses donkey.) Only POLICE uses horses and camels.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jason P

      At this point the goals of the U.S., maintaining and expanding our influence in the Middle East, have not changed with respect to Egypt. When it appears Egypts dictator will be forced out by the Egyptian majority, the U.S. will support the Egyptian people in hopes of maintaining good relations with Egypt. However, the U.S. government will prefer Mubarak to stay in power to maintain the diplomatic milestones we have with the country even if it means the loss of life and crushing their people's freedom. It is much easier for the U.S. to have influence over a dictator with absolute power who concedes to our wishes rather than a democratic state that is more likely to be independent and fluctuate in international policy depending on who is elected to office. As history has proven, the U.S. is a strong supporter of vicious dictators, human rights violations and the stiffiling of individual freedom throughout the world in the quest to strengthen our influence internationally. Mainstream news is usually quick to backup the U.S. perspective of international affairs. CNN and 90% of the other news organizations state the current violence in Egypt is caused by "Mubarak supporters" insinuating that they are Egyptian citizens freely supporting Mubarak instead of thugs paid by his regime in a final attempt to quell the protesters. Cleverly this will reduce any backlash internationally that would result if the Army stepped in to support Mubarak instead of paid thugs.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • Funnyguy0714

      The US needs to back the F up and keep their nose out of this EGYPTIAN issue.
      What if the role was reversed and American citizens were violently demonstrating to get corrupt idiots like Pelosi, Reed and Boxer out of office? Would the National Guard be activated? What would Obimination say to Mubarack, when Mumbarack told Obumer and the US Gov't to cease and desist against American protestors?

      February 2, 2011 at 2:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Ramy

      The USA did get involved but there is so much president Obama can say in a politically correct and diplomatically proper manner. You can read between the lines that Mubarak's stay until next election is simply unacceptable to the USA, thereby reflecting what the Egyptian nation wants. I was in today's protests in Tahrir peacefully supporting an immediate step down of Mubarak. We were literally assulted and attacked by "pro-mubarak" protesters, who nothin but a bunch of thugs, police officers in civilian clothes or hired by police officers, who have been forming the black hand of the regime here for 30 years. Here is someone who promises freedom and protection, reforms and dialogue...and whose government, within less than a week, cut mobile & sms and internet communications, stopped train services, released prisoners onto the streets, retrieved all police forces from the streets, aggressed peaceful demonstrators by pushing forward armed thugs (yesterday we were millions accross the country and not one single aggression event occured (other than Alex, again, with Mubarak's thugs)....this person can no longer be trusted.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
    • Matt

      When President Obama talked in Egypt for all Moslem. He gave an impression that he wants a change and a better dialogue, be a fair partner and respect what is right and what is wrong.

      As we know our country, US, we promote freedom and people's choice. But if people choose different way, which is not beneficial to our national interest we intend to disagree or do not support.

      Obama is slow to support people of Egypt. Since he is worry that the new government may be anti-Israel. So US do not care about people's choice and they only support people of Egypt as long as they meet what is best for US and Israel in respect of Egypt neighbor.

      Mubarak is a dictators like most of middle East countries. He is now using some of his secret agents to create complication.

      People of Egypt should stand up and select what ever they wish regardless of US or any other countries benefit. If they select a radical government, then that is their choice if they select moderate that is their choice too. We should NOT interfere in any other countries matter. But we do, since we are always thinking about our interest and all our speech is just hot air to twist all world.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:40 pm | Report abuse |
    • plantseeds

      Why should the usa get involved? Gibbs should keep his mouth closed. Obama should be the only person commenting. Mubarak announced he will leave, the protestors have achived a victory and now for spite they will risk the destruction of thier country, childish. Big mistake on their part. These organizers (the single mom/english teacher, et al) that have been heralded as the initiators of this movement will be shunned when Eqypt spirals into utter chaos.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:40 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Quatchi

    *******************
    Mubarak's son plans to take over from his father in September.
    He is now in England being groomed and trained/advised in how to oppress and crush Egyptian citizens.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:06 pm | Report abuse |
    • Matt

      British are good to train other leaders and make mess of it. They are also training next India Prime minister, as well as ,....

      February 2, 2011 at 2:43 pm | Report abuse |
  3. mohamed

    president obama...it is time to quit on the criminal mubarak

    February 2, 2011 at 1:07 pm | Report abuse |
  4. musthavee

    !!!THERE ARE NO PRO-MUBARAK PROTESTERS!!!, only America/Zionist paid or coerced few in an attempt to portray the picture of divided Egyptians. And look at all the American/Zionist media being all over it with a few nicely angled photos making several tens of “pro-Mubarak” America/Zionist paid “protesters” look like there are hundreds or thousands of them. It is disgusting to what extent do America/Zionists go to control other countries.

    One thing this has proven is that Mubarak is not only an insane oppressor of his own people, but actually Zionist himself. Think about it. Why else would someone wealthy at the end of his life so passionately want to stay in power and work for America’s/Zionist interests? The only answer I can comprehend is that he wants to give America/Zionists enough time to find and bribe another one like him by September. While they can control people in a gradual process, they cannot control a sudden upraise of masses such as the current one that will bring a real leader that represents people’s interests and not America’s/Zionist ones. I hope that people of Egypt will not accept anything less than a revolution in leadership, and unconditional removal of Mubarak and all his bribed accomplicess

    February 2, 2011 at 1:07 pm | Report abuse |
    • LauraJ

      See, you wonder why Americans dont trust this whole thing, well its because of people like you, driven by one agenda – "kill the Zionists". We and Israel have nothing to do with Mubarak being in power – that happened with great thanks to the moron who killed Sadat. Wasn't he an Egyptian? Hmmm. So pack up your rhetoric and try some actual facts. change is a close or as far as the people of Egypt wish it to be – nobody else. Until you can stop blaming everyone else, you will never be free.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:13 pm | Report abuse |
    • Allocer

      Gee LauraJ, if you have a brain than you would know that one comment doesn't represent everything.

      And David, you're a Moron.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:49 pm | Report abuse |
    • muhrvis

      Yes, Mubarak has sent out the goons and looters to incite violence, after days of peaceful protests. He won't succeed though. His regime is going to end soon! Thank goodness... But musthavee my friend, you'd better PRAY that the new government is democratic and not "anti-Zionist" or Egypt will be in much worse shape. Whether you like it or not, accept it or not, Israel is not going to tolerate a neighbor that attacks them. Get used to Israel and deal with it. Period. Grow up! Mubarak may have been a pig and a dictator, but Egyptians are LUCKY he didn't confront Israel in a childish, naive, and foolish way.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:57 pm | Report abuse |
    • albatross

      those pro mubarak supporters on horse back are nothing but the Plain Cloths police that had vanished three days back. they are back to act as civilians.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Report abuse |
    • Pioneer1900

      The current attack on the Egyptian people is definitly planned by the imperialists and those who control them. My message to them is that. Egypt is full of real smart brave men and we can see you. The last six days proved that Egypt is still vibrant.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Samson

    Israel and the USA would rather see Egypt in chaos instead of a strong, democratized Egypt.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • LauraJ

      What? Makes no sense. Really. When facts don't work for you, you charge ahead anyway, right, just so long as it can be the fault of the US and Israel. pathetic

      February 2, 2011 at 1:17 pm | Report abuse |
    • Duane W

      Samson...you speak like a true ignorant. I mean really? We have citizens there who have loved Egypt and the people and now there is chaos they are trying to stay and help yet we love the chaos? Wow you really are narrow minded in your thinking.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:30 pm | Report abuse |
    • sherif Elias

      You are an idi%t.

      Christian Egyptian
      Viva Revolution

      February 2, 2011 at 1:44 pm | Report abuse |
  6. David

    and everyone is being sympathetic to these hoodlums for what reason again? idiots.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:09 pm | Report abuse |
    • RA

      So our ancestors were HOODLUMS when they fought for our democracy, freedom, and rights? You have no respect for our great leaders who fought long and hard for you to have this comfortable life.

      Thank God you weren't alive back then.

      The least you could do is have sympathy for a nation smart and brave enough to stand up to their Tyrant to have what you have.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:18 pm | Report abuse |
    • karim

      SHAME ON YOU DAVID. those are PEOPLE fighting for freedom. you probobly complain everyday about "traffic, taxes, Obama, est" THE EGYPTIANS HAVE NO FOOD (they are literally starving–eating "sandwiches with bread and only onions), MONEY (they have none), and freedom. The arabic news channel, Aljazeera shows all this

      you are a true arrogant fool for saying those human beings are HOODLUMS?!

      February 2, 2011 at 1:42 pm | Report abuse |
  7. ahmed hussein

    CNN reporters were correct. Don't shoot the messenger. The thugs pro Mubarak mob. which showed up to march, after Mubarak's defiant speech, are "paid Mubarak thugs". The "pro Mubarak paid thugs" are there to create havoc and engage in violence aainst the anti Mubarak demonstrators. The pro Mubarak thugs and demaonstrators would not be there unless they were being paid by Mubarak.

    The man who Mubarak appointed as his prime minister is the head of 'Egypt's intelligence service. This man is trained in all of the dirty trick used by the CIA. Mubarak's numer 2 man is using every dirty trick, that he has been taught by the CIA. Confusion and deception are numer one tactics of the CIA, which Mubarak's number 2 man is part of.

    Mubarak's number 2 man has placed these "pro Mubarak paid thugs" into the center of the demaonstrators to create violence and havoc. The violence being created by "Mubarak's paid thugs" creates an excuse for Mubarak, and his number 2 man, to send in the hated Gestapo police and the military to put down the demonstrators.

    Take your head out of the Mubarak sand and realize that Mubarak is a brutal dictator, who will do anything to retain power. The people's demand is for Mubarak to step down and leae the country NOW, along with all of his regime, including his parliament. 'When Mubarak and his regime steps down, the demonstrators will leave the Square and not
    a minute before.

    Mubarak leave Egypt now and take your corrupt American backed regime with you.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • LauraJ

      Whoa – he may be corrupt, but he is YOUR ruler, not ours. Be a man and take some responsibility for your own garbage. Your need to blame us and others is pathetic – although I do understand – its sets everything up so you can force in a theocracy like Iran (which isn't working very well either based on their own demonstrations).

      February 2, 2011 at 1:19 pm | Report abuse |
    • Sean

      Laura, that is precisely what Egyptians are doing, taking matters into their own hands. And the US is responsible, they supported and armed and protected Mubarak for 30 years for their friend Israel who uses American money and American lives to fight their wars. Wake up Laura, or you will loose America.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:40 pm | Report abuse |
    • karim

      Ahmed Hussein, i applaud your post. It is true about the "prime minister"

      Laura– those are people FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM. They are strong, courageous people.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:59 pm | Report abuse |
    • quiet person

      these pro mubarak supporters on horseback are nothing but police in plain cloths !!

      February 2, 2011 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Yasser Taima

    Stop reporting statements from Egypt government officials as if they're fact. Use "allegedly" and "according to" as this isn't a government, it's a regime holding Egypt, the Egyptian state and state-controlled media by force, and has no legitimacy.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:12 pm | Report abuse |
  9. mohamed

    we ask red cross to intrevene and help those wounded in tahreer square.i just watched a doctor who called aljazeera from tahreer square asking for help.a lot of those are critically injured and they can not be transfered to surrounding hospitals as they will be arrested and tortured...where is the RED CROSS..where is the UNITED NATIONS..where is OBAMA..this is a tragedy

    February 2, 2011 at 1:14 pm | Report abuse |
    • Duane W

      mohamed- Ask yourself where the muslim brothers and sisters are during this crisis. Seems to me with all their money and resources they should be helping right? Makes you wonder why everyone is asking for the USA and the Muslim world is quiet to assist. Maybe now you see the truth

      February 2, 2011 at 1:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • ana

      Whatever happened to death to USA chants, you need USA to for help? funny

      February 2, 2011 at 2:30 pm | Report abuse |
    • Frankly Speaking..

      @ ana

      "death to USA"!! now will you send help ?? Stupid b!tch

      February 2, 2011 at 2:40 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Egyptian

    Anyone noticed how organized and well-designed the signs carried by the so called "Mubarak Supporters"...it's because they are produced by Mubarak's government to be used by the paid-off citizens

    February 2, 2011 at 1:15 pm | Report abuse |
    • LauraJ

      ..many of whom cannot read or write, which makes the irony quite delicious.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:40 pm | Report abuse |
    • Hassan

      Let us be fair please...and how do you explain the banners at Tahrir square, super clean bold and planted in front of CNN ,AL JAZIRA / If we apply the same analysis,do you think that the rest of the 80 million have no voice? If you are not from the Muslim Brothers or the opponent group,then you have no rights?
      What if we put our country best interest and our unity as nation above our ideology and give a peaceful reform a chance! If it did not work out ...then we take another step forward...The new president should be a true Egyptian from the people and for all the Egyptian people...NOT MADE IN VIENNA...or MADE IN THE USA...wake up people...have clear vision and think...few moments of glory of showing your faces on the TV does not bring back the lost investors and tourists and national stability to your homes...you can differ in opinion with your parents ...your wives your families but we do not burn our homes and hurt our families to make our point of view loud and clear...meat each other in the middle...for the love of God and your country.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:18 pm | Report abuse |
  11. mohamed

    we ask red cross to intrevene and help those wounded in tahreer square.i just watched a doctor who called aljazeera from tahreer square asking for help.a lot of those are critically injured and they can not be transfered to surrounding hospitals as they will be arrested and tortured...where is the RED CROSS..where is the UNITED NATIONS.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:15 pm | Report abuse |
  12. edmundburkeson

    Clinton's experiment in peaceful protests and online community organizing in Egypt goes awry.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:16 pm | Report abuse |
  13. msfn

    Expect unrest where ever there is lack of democracy. almost all the Arab world is filled with injustice to which the US closes its eyes. Saudi Arabia will be the last country, but that may take long time. Islam as a means of oppression is losing ground, the better for Muslims. This is the reality

    February 2, 2011 at 1:16 pm | Report abuse |
  14. ahmed hussein

    CNN reporters were correct. Don't shoot the messenger. The thugs pro Mubarak mob. which showed up to march, after Mubarak's defiant speech, are "paid Mubarak thugs". The "pro Mubarak paid thugs" are there to create havoc and engage in violence aainst the anti Mubarak demonstrators. The pro Mubarak thugs and demaonstrators would not be there unless they were being paid by Mubarak.

    The man who Mubarak appointed as his prime minister is the head of 'Egypt's intelligence service. This man is trained in all of the dirty trick used by the CIA. Mubarak's numer 2 man is using every dirty trick, that he has been taught by the CIA. Confusion and deception are numer one tactics of the CIA, which Mubarak's number 2 man is part of.

    Mubarak's number 2 man has placed these "pro Mubarak paid thugs" into the center of the demaonstrators to create violence and havoc. The violence being created by "Mubarak's paid thugs" creates an excuse for Mubarak, and his number 2 man, to send in the hated Gestapo police and the military to put down the demonstrators.

    Take your head out of the Mubarak sand and realize that Mubarak is a brutal dictator, who will do anything to retain power. The people's demand is for Mubarak to step down and leae the country NOW, along with all of his regime, including his parliament. 'When Mubarak and his regime steps down, the demonstrators will leave the Square and not a minute before.

    Mubarak leave Egypt now and take your corrupt American backed regime with you.

    February 2, 2011 at 1:17 pm | Report abuse |
    • LauraJ

      Yeah, you said that already – stop reposting – it wasnt that great the first time.

      February 2, 2011 at 1:41 pm | Report abuse |
    • Lola

      LuaraJ:
      your arrogance offends me. HE IS TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE!

      February 2, 2011 at 2:01 pm | Report abuse |
    • Frankly Speaking..

      @LauraJ

      why dont you head back to your trailer and make illegitimate children.. Leave the serious talk to adults

      February 2, 2011 at 2:42 pm | Report abuse |
  15. HUMAN

    PEOPLE ARE DYING FOR ONE PERSON!!!!!!!!!!! AND WHAT IS THE FREE WORLD IS DOING, IF THIS WAS A WESTERN COUNTRY THEY WILL JUMP ON IT TO STOP THE KILLING, WHERE ARE YOU THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD?????????????????????????

    February 2, 2011 at 1:17 pm | Report abuse |
    • ana

      Leader of FREE sharia law world is hiding in the caves of northwest Pakistan, go and ask him to come and help.

      February 2, 2011 at 2:39 pm | Report abuse |
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