CAIRO - Egyptians faced lawlessness on their streets yesterday, with security forces and ordinary people trying to stop looters after days of protest demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian 30-year rule.
Through the night Cairo residents armed with clubs, chains and knives formed vigilante groups to guard neighbourhoods from marauders after the unpopular police force withdrew following clashes with protesters that left more than 100 people dead.
By morning, the capital's streets were mostly deserted, with the army guarding the interior ministry, and citizens putting their trust in the military, hoping they would restore order but not open fire to keep key US ally Mubarak, 82, in power.
Up to 3000 people gathered yesterday in Tahrir Square, which has become a rallying point to express anger at poverty, repression and corruption in the Arab world's most populous nation.
"The people want the fall of Mubarak," they chanted.
"Hosni Mubarak, Omar Suleiman, both of you are agents of the Americans," shouted protesters, referring to the appointment of intelligence chief Suleiman as a vice-president, the first time Mubarak has appointed a deputy in 30 years of office.
It was the position Mubarak held before he become president and could set the scene for a transition of power. Many saw it as ending his son Gamal's long-predicted ambitions to take over.
The unprecedented turmoil has sent shock waves through the Middle East, where other autocratic rulers may face similar challenges, and unsettled financial markets around the globe.
Police beat and arrested students in central Khartoum in Sudan, witnesses said yesterday, as demonstrations inspired by events in Egypt broke out in the city to demand that the government resign.
The protests in Egypt bore many hallmarks of the unrest that toppled the leader of Tunisia two weeks ago, though the arrival of army troops to replace police showed Mubarak still has the support of the military.
Army tanks and tracked vehicles stood at the capital's street corners, guarding banks as well as government offices and the Interior Ministry headquarters. State security fought with protesters trying to attack the building on Saturday night.
The tumult was effecting Egypt's tourist industry and the US embassy said yesterday it was offering evacuation flights to Europe for US citizens who are anxious to leave the country.
Egypt said it had shut down the operations of satellite broadcaster Al-Jazeera which has shown footage of the demonstrations taking place in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria and heavy-handed police tactics to the rest of the Arab world.
The government has interfered with Internet access and mobile phone signals to try to disrupt demonstrators' plans.
Twitter messages yesterday were urging Egyptians to assemble at Tahrir Square to resume their anti-Mubarak message.
The US and European powers were busy reworking their Middle East policies, which have supported Mubarak, turning a blind eye to police brutality and corruption in return for a bulwark against first communism and now militant Islam.
In Cairo, the biggest immediate fear was of looting as public order collapsed. Mobs stormed banks, supermarkets, jewellery shops and government offices. Some suggested the chaos could herald a security forces crackdown.
Thieves at the Egyptian Museum damaged two mummies from the time of the Pharaohs.
Egypt looted
CAIRO - Egyptians faced lawlessness on their streets yesterday, with security forces and ordinary people trying to stop looters after days of protest demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian 30-year rule.
Through the night Cairo residents armed with clubs, chains and knives formed vigilante groups to guard neighbourhoods from marauders after the unpopular police force withdrew following clashes with protesters that left more than 100 people dead.
By morning, the capital's streets were mostly deserted, with the army guarding the interior ministry, and citizens putting their trust in the military, hoping they would restore order but not open fire to keep key US ally Mubarak, 82, in power.
Up to 3000 people gathered yesterday in Tahrir Square, which has become a rallying point to express anger at poverty, repression and corruption in the Arab world's most populous nation.
"The people want the fall of Mubarak," they chanted.
"Hosni Mubarak, Omar Suleiman, both of you are agents of the Americans," shouted protesters, referring to the appointment of intelligence chief Suleiman as a vice-president, the first time Mubarak has appointed a deputy in 30 years of office.
It was the position Mubarak held before he become president and could set the scene for a transition of power. Many saw it as ending his son Gamal's long-predicted ambitions to take over.
The unprecedented turmoil has sent shock waves through the Middle East, where other autocratic rulers may face similar challenges, and unsettled financial markets around the globe.
Police beat and arrested students in central Khartoum in Sudan, witnesses said yesterday, as demonstrations inspired by events in Egypt broke out in the city to demand that the government resign.
The protests in Egypt bore many hallmarks of the unrest that toppled the leader of Tunisia two weeks ago, though the arrival of army troops to replace police showed Mubarak still has the support of the military.
Army tanks and tracked vehicles stood at the capital's street corners, guarding banks as well as government offices and the Interior Ministry headquarters. State security fought with protesters trying to attack the building on Saturday night.
The tumult was effecting Egypt's tourist industry and the US embassy said yesterday it was offering evacuation flights to Europe for US citizens who are anxious to leave the country.
Egypt said it had shut down the operations of satellite broadcaster Al-Jazeera which has shown footage of the demonstrations taking place in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria and heavy-handed police tactics to the rest of the Arab world.
The government has interfered with Internet access and mobile phone signals to try to disrupt demonstrators' plans.
Twitter messages yesterday were urging Egyptians to assemble at Tahrir Square to resume their anti-Mubarak message.
The US and European powers were busy reworking their Middle East policies, which have supported Mubarak, turning a blind eye to police brutality and corruption in return for a bulwark against first communism and now militant Islam.
In Cairo, the biggest immediate fear was of looting as public order collapsed. Mobs stormed banks, supermarkets, jewellery shops and government offices. Some suggested the chaos could herald a security forces crackdown.
Thieves at the Egyptian Museum damaged two mummies from the time of the Pharaohs.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos