Widespread anti government demonstrations and violent clashes in Egypt between the protesters and the riot police have left at least 74 people dead since Tuesday. About 2,000 people have been injured. president Hosni Mubarak has appointed country’s military intelligence chief General Omar Suleiman as his first-ever vice president and current aviation minister Ahmed Shafiq the new prime minister.
Fresh riots broke out in several cities including Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismailiya. In Cairo and other cities thousands of demonstrators have ignored a curfew. Cairo’s central Tahrir Square was full of protesters duriasdng the night. Troops and armoured vehicles have been deployed but have not taken any action. Looting broke out prompting the army to call on citizens to defend themselves. Mobile phone networks in the country came back on line but Internet access is still cut.
Egyptian reform campaigner and Nobel Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei has asked Mr. Mubarak to step down. Leaders from the United States, Britain, France and Germany have urged President Mubarak to avoid violence and enact reforms.
All Indians in Egypt are safe. A control Room has been set up in the Indian Embassy in Cairo for the benefit of nationals settled there.
