Egypt: Police clear protesters from Tahrir Square
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 December 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Egypt: Police clear protesters from Tahrir Square, 20 December 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f1431c816.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 20, 2011
Security forces moved into Cairo's Tahrir Square at dawn to clear out protesters demanding the country's military rulers step down.
Reports from the Egyptian capital say protesters fled into side streets. As protests entered a fifth day, the death toll stands at 13 with hundreds more reported wounded.
An army general told a news conference that "evil forces" wanted to sow chaos and said soldiers had shown "self-restraint" despite provocation by those trying to burn down buildings and create discord between the army and the people.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the "excessive" force being used against demonstrators.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "deeply concerned" about the violence.
The human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on arms suppliers to stop sending small arms and ammunition to Egypt's military and security forces.
compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
