Thread: Clashes erupt amid Cairo protests

Live blog Feb 2 - Egypt protests | Al Jazeera Blogs

By Al Jazeera Staff in

• Middle East

on February 1st, 2011.



From our headquarters in Doha, we keep you updated on all things Egypt, with reporting from Al Jazeera staff in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez.
(All times are local in Egypt, GMT+2)

5:34pm Al Jazeera receiving photos and videos from people in Egypt. see yourmedia.aljazeera.net

5:30pm Google launches a "Crisis Response" project and have a team updating it with information from the protests in Egypt. Tools, information, resources and more available.

5:26pm David Cameron, the British prime minister, says that it would be unacceptable for the Egyptian government to be supporting violence in any way.

5:23pm Al Jazeera showing pictures of people standing on roofs of buildings and throwing stones and other large items on the anti-government protesters below.

5:15pm Mohamed ElBaradei, an Egyptian opposition figure, calls on the the army to intervene as pro-Mubarak group continues attack on group that has been protesting in Tahrir Square.

Mubarak has to step down ... no one wants him in Egypt. Egyptian people regained their dignity and will not turn back.

5:11pm Female anti-government protester telling Al Jazeera that they cannot leave the square even if she wanted to - she is crying on air and sounds very scared and emotional.

5:07pm Al Jazeera's web producer in Cairo says that a number of people are being hit by rocks and anti-government demonstrators are also being targeted from buildings above.

They are throwing Molotov cocktails at the anti-Mubarak protesters. The army has backed off from the Corniche - they used to have a few tanks on the beachfront road, but they have pulled out now.

4:51pm Gunshots heard live on Al Jazeera and reports of pro-Mubarak groups taking over three army vehicles.

4:36pm Ali Jomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, tells all Egyptians to go home.

I greet President Mubarak who offered dialogue and responded to the demands of the people. Going against legitimacy is forbidding (Haram).
This is an invitation for chaos. We support stability. What we have now is a blind chaos leading to a civil war. I call on all parents to ask their children to stay home.

4:21pm Female anti-government protester telling Al Jazeera that they cannot leave the square even if she wanted to - she is crying on air and sounds very scared and emotional. Telling Al Jazeera not to refer to the pro-government group as "demonstrators" because they are actually "violent thugs".

4:14pm Al Jazeera's web producer sends through a picture of the camel that was brought in by pro-government supporters and used to charge at the anti-government demonstrators.



4:00pm Picture being uploaded onto twitter, showing people wounded by pro-government supporters.



3:56pm Graph depicting levels of Egyptian internet traffic after the week long outage.



3:53pm The EU announces that they urge Mubarak to speed the process of government transition asap. Meanwhile the Muslim Brotherhood announces that they want Mubarak to step down now rather than September.

3:48pm Pictures of the horses being posted by journalists on twitter. (source: Pro mubarak supporters arriving on horseback. Moving towards ... on Twitpic)



3:27pm Al Jazeera reporting that more than 100 people have been injured in the past hour after suspected government supporters, including plain clothed policemen, entered Tahrir Square and attacked anti-Mubarak demonstrators.

3:22pm Protesters in Tahrir Square shows the Al Jazeera camera the ID cards of accused plain clothed security (police ID) who came in earlier to create chaos.



3:20pm Al Jazeera web producer in Tahrir Square says at least two camera crews (neither from Al Jazeera) being chased by mobs yelling "Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera!"

3:17pm Al Jazeera correspondents in Tahrir Square says that the pro-government mob is chanting slogans against Al Jazeera and apparently trying to find them. Reports of at least one Al-Arabiya correspondent being stabbed.

3:13pm Ahmed Moor, a demonstrator talking to Al Jazeera from the square, says:

Pro-government supporters on horses and one camel entered the square and charged the anti-Mubarak protesters. Some of them were pulled off the horses, and the pro-government supporters exchanged rock throwing with the demonstrators.

2:59pm Men on horseback and camels have entered Tahrir Square - not sure who they are. The army and soldiers are not intervening as of yet.

2:49pm Reports of anti-government supporters calling on the military to intervene. Al Jazeera's correspondent says that at least 15 people have been injured, but numbers expected to be much higher.


2:41pm Jane Dutton, Al Jazeera's reporter in Cairo, said that the clashes are continuing:

Hundreds of anti-government supporters were running from the square, including many women and children.

2:38pm Al Jazeera correspondent saying that many people injured in stampede that started when clashes began between pro and anti-government demonstrators.

It's a very tense stand-off here - it is far from over!

2:30pm Al Jazeera showing live pictures of clashes in Tahrir Square between pro and anti-government demonstrators. Watch live here - Al Jazeera English: Live Stream - Watch Now - Al Jazeera English

2:10pm Some 10,000 pro-Mubarak demonstrators gathered in central Cairo, one of our web producers reports.

Videos for the above...

Some tweets from the last few minutes...

Scale of fighting is "stunning" says CNN's Ivan Watson

right in the middle of the clashes. my cameraman is bloodied. utter CHAOS right now! #egypt #jan25

Al Jazeera: Journalist: "There are people atop buildings around Meydan Tahrir throwing fire bombs at protesters

Overheard army officer off Tahrir square. They have no strategy to deal with situation. they are watching passively. #Egypt #Jan25

Horrible: Molotov cocktails being thown from rooftops onto anti-govt. demonstrators #egypt

Protestors now surrounded by Pro-Mabarak supporters, trapped in Tahiri Sq, armed with petrol bombs fighting for their lives...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_1...68-503543.html

February 2, 2011 10:42 AM

Violence Against Journalists Reported amid Cairo Clashes

Posted by Gina Pace Leave Comment

Pro-government supporters, top, clash anti-government protesters in Cairo's main square, Egypt, Feb. 2, 2011.
(Credit: AP )

CBS News reporters in Cairo said that it's not safe for journalists to be out in the crowds. A CBS News reporter and cameraman were punched and sprayed with mace.

CBS News anchor Katie Couric reports via Twitter that protesters supporting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are "very hostile" and wouldn't let crews shoot video.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip 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."

More recent Tweets....disturbing events in Cairo.

Truck is on fire, auto-rifle heard, molotov thrown into anti-Mubarak protesters. There are woman & children in that crowd.-

AlJaz: Tens of Moltov cocktails being thrown at Egyptian Museum right now. #Egypt #Tahrir

RT [at]waelabbas: mubarak thugs are throwing molotov cocktail bombs on the egyptian museum !!! eyewitness just called me #egypt

"I'm not sure people in the square can get out even if they want to get out." -[at]andersoncooper

Love it.
Mr O from USA is quite vocal tocal today.
Kicks off in Bangkok he couldn't give a fuck.
Ooo, Thailand no have Suez Canal.

Blood on the Streets as Mubarak Supporters Clash with Cairo Protesters

By Vivienne Walt / Cairo
Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2011

Pro-government demonstrators, below, and anti-government demonstrators, above, clash in Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government demonstrations, in Cairo, Egypt Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011
Ben Curtis / AP

Violent clashes erupted in the heart of Cairo on Wednesday, as thousands of supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak poured into the streets to confront the huge crowds of protesters who have transformed this country's politics in the past nine days — a signal that the battle over who will succeed Mubarak could turn extremely bloody during the weeks and months ahead.

The two sides fought each other with bricks and pieces of metal, as thousands of pro-Mubarak demonstrators stormed into Tahrir Square — the heart of the uprising — on camels and horseback, in an effort to break the protesters' hold on the square and seize control amid the turmoil. Many anti-government demonstrators have been camped in the square for most of the past week, sleeping little and living with razor-edge tension. Mubarak announced on state-run television on Tuesday night that he would not seek another term in office when presidential elections are held in September. (See TIME's exclusive pictures of the turmoil in Egypt.)

But days before Mubarak made his concession, small groups of loyalists had already been gathering along Cairo's Corniche, the broad boulevard adjacent to the Nile, chanting pro-regime slogans and inching ever closer to Tahrir Square, less than a kilometer away. Then, on Wednesday morning, within hours of Mubarak's address, loyalists of his National Democratic Party began gathering in greater numbers, in groups across Cairo. On the Corniche, men, women and children danced in the streets, chanting "long live Mubarak," and "No, no, he won't go." The regime loyalists had erected a professionally printed red banner that read "Thank You Mr. President" in both Arabic and English. (Read: "Cairo Street Debate: When Mubarak Foes and Backers Clash.")

By lunchtime, the key 6th of October bridge which spans the Nile River in downtown Cairo was crammed with Mubarak supporters, and cars began tooting their horns, Egyptian flags flying out of their windows, as the hubbub rose in volume and the crowds thickened, many holding aloft photos of Mubarak and chanting for him to stay. "Mubarak has ruled us for 30 years," says Mohamed Labib, 29, an advertising account manager, who held a photograph of the President. "Having Mubarak out now will create chaos in the country."

Similarly jubilant scenes were visible among the protesters in the square an hour before the clashes began. Families, including young children and groups of teenage girls, thronged around speakers from various political parties before participating in mass prayers.

A thin line of armed, uniformed soldiers was all that stood between the two groups. Then, within minutes, the festive atmosphere on both sides — complete with dancing, drumbeats and cheeky slogans — was replaced with fighting.

Several hundred pro-Mubarak men suddenly broke away from the Corniche and purposely headed toward Tahrir Square. They were visibly anry though it was unclear what, if anything, had provoked them.
"Whoever is with Egypt is with the President," they chanted. They pushed through the thin line of armed, uniformed soldiers that separated the protesters and the Mubarak loyalists. They also overwhelmed the volunteers who were helping to check identification cards and bags to help deter trouble-makers. Several soldiers, who had tried to keep the two sides apart, quickly withdrew.

As the pro-Mubarak forces pressed into the space, the protesters formed a human chain-fence to try to keep president's supporters out of the area. The square — a giant open area surrounded by hotels and the National Museum — has been cordoned off by military tanks, with just two chokepoints to allow people in and out.

"We love Mubarak! We love Mubarak!" the men yelled as they charged into Tahrir.

"Yalla shabab! [Come on guys!]" several anti-Mubarak youths yelled to their compatriots, urging them onto the invaders of what had been their turf. "We will only die once!"

"These are bad people who want to come and fight us," said Azher Bedar, 36, an advertising salesman, whose arms had been locked in a cordon with other protesters at the beginning of the confrontation. "Mubarak has paid them to come here and make himself look like he has popularity." Next to him, Khaled Mahmoud, a 23-year-old communications student, said he believed the Mubarak supporters "don't represent Egyptian people at all. We are the real Egyptian people." (See more on how the military will determine Mubarak's fate.)

The pro-Mubarak crowds pushed at the entry points of Tahrir Square shouted in fury even as anti-government protestors shouted, "Go home! Go home!" The pro-government marchers carried banners saying: "Egypt means Mubarak and Mubarak means Egypt. If there is 1 million No, there are 82 million" — meant to belittle the dissident claim of a million-strong protest against the total population of the country. Then some pro-Mubarak groups arrived on horses and camels and crashed through the cordons. One observer said that camels could only be brought into that part of Cairo, given the extraordinary circumstances, only with official and military permission. "All Egyptians support Mubarak," Sharif Mohammed, a tour guide, said as he tried to push his way into Tahrir Square. "He's our father."

"God help us," said Mustafa Elsheen, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. "We were praying peacefully, you saw us. There are dozens of men who have been injured, some very badly with head wounds. God help our country. We will not be frightened by these thugs. We have our cause, we want our rights. Why are they being violent? They can come to the square and say anything they want, but why the violence?" (Read "Mubarak Says He'll Go but Not Just Yet: What Now?")

Shortly before 4, clashes were taking place in front of the Egyptian Museum as both sides seem to hurl chunks of concrete at each other across a space. From the balcony of a nearby building, a TIME reporter saw the pro-Mubarak surge forward into the square to begin a hand-to-hand battle with the anti-government crowds. Then at 4 p.m. came a round of gun shots, which rang out close to the museum, though it was not clear who had opened fire. Hospitals around Cairo filled Tuesday afternoon with those injured in the fighting.

Although it was not immediately clear how the pro-Mubarak march was organized, it appears that some of the direction came from Mubarak's National Democratic Party, whose headquarters, which overlook Tahrir Square, were torched last Friday.

"The demonstrations started off peacefully," says Hussein Omar, an Egyptian graduate student at Oxford University who had come home to Cairo to witness events and found himself trapped on a balcony overlooking Tahrir Square. "Then suddenly there were rumors that the government was sending in horse and camels, and sure enough riders charged the crowd but were forced back by protestors forming a human chain. I've seen at least 50 severely injured or dead people. The army sometimes tries to help, when the crowd ties up violent thugs and hands them over to the army [but] people are starting to wonder why the army isn't doing more to stop these infiltrations. It's all very methodical. [Pro-government gangs] have encircled the square, and then one at a time they try to force their way through an entrance, and are pushed back by the human chain. Then the [pro-government gangs] try again from another way. I'd be very surprised if this wasn't planned."

With reporting by Rania Abouzeid and Andrew Lee Butters/Cairo
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...#ixzz1CoxhB300

Screen grabs from CNN's stream....showing a molotov cocktail thrown from a building onto the crowds below....

Few more Tweets...

Al Jazeera: The Egyptian museum finally caught fire from molotov cocktails

CBSNews CBS News
Al-Arabiya: Cairo's Tahrir Square in Dark after Power is Cut

RT [at]EgyptUpdates: ALshrouk news: ambulances driving into the square and ONLY transferring pro Mubarak injured to hospitals #Jan25 #egypt

YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!

Tahrir Square now, the Pro-Mubarak thugs have worked.

Recent Tweets

AJELive AJELive
Al Jazeera producer at Tahrir Square - about 500 pro-Mubarak people throwing rocks over tanks near Qasr al-Nile bridge. Live Messages from Egypt | Al Jazeera Blogs

RT [at]glcarlstrom Army largely stood by; when things got tense on Qasr al-Nil, soldiers retreated into tanks. Pro-Mubarak crowd climbed on top

ALJ: Army yelling at everyone at square to get inside. State TV said police have been deployed and will shoot #egypt

Originally Posted by the dogcatcher

YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!

Fair enough, I wont bother with live updates. No one seems to care. So be it.

Thanks for your updates. This situation-directly or indirectly-affects us all.

Update to the Al Jazeera live blog...

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-ea...egypt-protests

7:59pm Picture of camel charging at the anti-government protesters, taken earlier in the day. (See below around 4pm)



7:54pm Ambulances have not been able to reach the wounded anti-government protesters in Tahrir Square and there are possibly hundreds of people there with serious injuries.

7:41pm Al Jazeera web producer at Tahrir Square says that a crowd of about 500 pro-Mubarak people started throwing rocks over tanks near Qasr al-Nil bridge.

7:36pm Martin Indyk, a former US Ambassador to Israel, who's also worked as the assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs and for Aipac, America's pro-Israel lobby live on Al Jazeera from New York - watch live here: Al Jazeera English: Live Stream - Watch Now - Al Jazeera English

7:21pm An anti-government protester tells Al Jazeera, "It's a siege mentality. The image that comes to mind is Tiananmen Square." Seconds later, Egyptian TV begins making an announcement repeatedly:

You have to evacuate Tahrir Square immediately. We've got confirmed information that violent groups are heading toward Tahrir Square carrying firebombs and seeking to burn the Square.

7:14pm Anti-Mubarak protesters continue to accuse the ruling NDP of sending thugs to break up peaceful rallies. Pro-government demonstrators have reportedly been cursing Al Jazeera throughout the clashes, during which the AFP news agency has said some 500 people were injured.

7:05pm An Al Jazeera correspondent is hearing scattered shots being fired on side streets near Tahrir Square and says "it's a very dangerous and difficult night here as people try to protect their neighborhoods and their families".

6:58pm Ambulances are heading to Tahrir Square, as tension seems to have subsided slightly in the past few minutes.

6:50pm Egypt continues to rejected international calls for an immediate transfer of power, as pro- and anti-government supporters clash in the streets of Cairo. In addition to organising louder and bolder rallies in favor of Mubarak, pro-government demonstrators have been seen dropping stones and firebombs from buildings onto people below.

6:41pm A former general in the Egyptian intelligence services tells Al Jazeera, "I expect the army will act to remove Mubarak from power ... Mubarak is ready to burn the country".

6:37pm Cairo resident tells Al Jazeera that he witnessed police officers trying to bribe porters and security guards in his apartment building. They were asked to go and beat up anti-government protesters in Tahrir Square.

6:20pm White House issues official statement on the violence in Egypt.

The United States deplores and condemns the violence that is taking place in Egypt, and we are deeply concerned about attacks on the media and peaceful demonstrators. We repeat our strong call for restraint.

6:17pm Al Jazeera's producer in Cairo is reporting that the Hilton Hotel staff are checking all the rooms for cameras and then the security is confiscating them.

6:12pm Al Jazeera reporting that the Egyptian museum was fire bombed and the army is now trying to put out the fire.

6:10pm Catherine Ashton, the European Union's High representative for Foreign Affairs, speaks on Al Jazeera live from Brussels.

6:07pm Egyptian TV says that the military is calling for citizens to arrest those who stole military cloth and hand them over.

5:47pm PJ Crowley, US Assistant Secretary of State, tweets about violence

We reiterate our call for all sides in #Egypt to show restraint and avoid violence. Egypt's path to democratic change must be peaceful.

5:34pm Al Jazeera receiving photos and videos from people in Egypt. see yourmedia.aljazeera.net

i love watching the rag heads battle it out with pro and anti squaring up
what fun

You have to admit, it was pretty hilarious to see Mubarak supporters attack protesters while on horses and camels, never thought I see something like that in my life!

democracy is good for libertarian countries
for stone age peoples like in egypt, iran ,iraq etc - they need a strong dictator
anything else is chaos

[at]StrontiumDog

Was trying to green you for your effort but for some reason can't right now.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Fair enough, I wont bother with live updates. No one seems to care. So be it.

Shit man...I always read your posts. I have been able learn more about whats going on in egypt here....than i can read anywhere else.

Originally Posted by blue

for stone age peoples like in egypt, iran ,iraq etc - they need a strong dictator
anything else is chaos

True to a degree...but a lot of the problems in these countries have come from western interference.

Live blog Feb 2 - Egypt protests | Al Jazeera Blogs


11:55 pm John McCain, US senator from Arizona, has posted a Tweet urging Mubarak to "step down and relinquish power".

11:26 pm Clashes have erupted between anti-Mubarak protesters and Mubarak supporters at Abdul Menim Riad Square, near Tahrir Square, in Cairo.

11:11pm Egypt back online - a Global Voices Author shares his story here.

11:06pm Pro-democracy protesters beating on metal barricades in unison, in celebration after driving pro-Mubarak groups back.

10:55pm Latest from Al Jazeera Web Producer in Cairo's Tahrir Square:

The pro-Mubarak crowd suddenly retreated, and the pro-democracy protesters advanced a moveable wall of metal shields to a new front line much further up.
A side battle erupted down a street behind the pro-Mubarak lines, with rock throwing and molotov cocktails.
An armored personnel carrier opened fire into the air, shooting red tracers up over Cairo, in an apparent effort to disperse/frighten the pro-Mubarak crowd, who contracted again.
The pro-democracy protesters are now advancing their line of staggered metal shields farther and farther and seem to have gained decisive momentum.

10:45pm Clashes in Tahrir Square being described as medieval. Anti-government supporters are moving makeshift metal barricades slowly forward, one by one.

10:37pm Anti-Mubarak protesters still in Tahrir Square where they are being attacked by groups believed to be supporters of Mubarak. Al Jazeera showing them holding up a sign "World says time to go Mubarak".

10:27pm Nouraddin Adbulsamad, Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, is live on Al Jazeera. He has called for Mubarak to step down, accusing him of wanting to "burn down all of Egypt".

10:18pm Breaking news on Al Jazeera now: gunshots being heard in downtown Cairo, near Tahrir Square where tens of thousands of anti-government protesters are camping out.

10:13pm Philip J. Crowley, US Assistant Secretary, denounces the violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators and journalists.

After days of peaceful protests in Cairo and other cities in Egypt, today we see violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators and journalists. The United States denounces these attacks and calls on all engaged in demonstrations currently taking place in Egypt to do so peacefully.
These attacks are not only dangerous to Egypt; they are a direct threat to the aspirations of the Egyptian people. The use of violence to intimidate the Egyptian people must stop. We strongly call for restraint.

10:01pm Black smoke billowing up from somewhere very close to the eastern wall of the Egyptian Museum, among pro-Mubarak crowd.

9:40pm Al Jazeera's web producer sent through this video that he took earlier in the day, when the pro-Mubarak groups first attacked the anti-government protesters that were demonstrating in Tahrir Square.
9:31pm A moment ago, Al Jazeera's web producer heard several bursts of automatic gunfire from just west of Tahrir Square.

9:26pm Robert Gibbs, president Obama's spokesman, was asked specifically about the aid policy for Egypt, around $1.3bn a year:

The money isn't guaranteed, and is constantly under review.

9:19pm Neon Tommy, a web-only, Los Angeles-based news source, has interesting piece titled "Egypt's pain has been Al Jazeera's gain"

While CNN, BBC, and other networks scrambled to mobilize crews to the scene, Al Jazeera English rose above the fray and provided live, around-the-clock coverage.

9:01pm Homemade bombs are reportedly being dropped into Tahrir Square from surrounding buildings. Tens of of thousands anti-Mubarak protesters still downtown and many are scared to leave the relative safety of the big crowd. Until being attacked by pro-Mubarak groups this afternoon, the week-long protests have been largely peaceful.

8:47pm Ambulances finally moving into Tahrir Square from the north and from Qasr al-Nile bridge. Hundreds are said to be injured there after being attacked by pro-Mubarak groups armed with sticks, knives and rocks. Al Jazeera showing live video here: Al Jazeera English: Live Stream - Watch Now - Al Jazeera English

8:32pm Marc Ginsberg, a former U-S presidential adviser on Middle East policy, and the ex-ambassador to Morocco, live on Al Jazeera from Washington DC.

8:29pm Steve Coll (President, New America Foundation) and Amjad Atallah (Director, Middle East Task Force, New America Foundation) discuss the ongoing developments in Egypt, including what the opposition is demanding from the Mubarak regime, with Mustafa el-Gindy, a former independent member of the Egyptian parliament and current member of the opposition. (source)

8:20pm White House press secretary Robert Gibbs speaking live on Al Jazeera now - answering barrage of questions from journalists. To watch live click here :Al Jazeera English: Live Stream - Watch Now - Al Jazeera English

Youtube clip to go with the above.

3rd of feb live blog...violence continues....

Live blog Feb 3 - Egypt protests

Live blog Feb 3 - Egypt protests

By Al Jazeera Staff in

• Middle East

on February 2nd, 2011.



From our headquarters in Doha, we keep you updated on all things Egypt, with reporting from Al Jazeera staff in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez.

(All times are local in Egypt, GMT+2)

5:14 am Ambulances are moving toward the bridge amid gunfire.

5:06 am Our correspondent says that anti-government protesters on the bridge seem to be running from gunfire. The AFP news service reports that a second protester has been shot and killed.

4:52 am Tanks andarmoured vehicles are pulling out of Tahrir Square, and one of our Web producer reports that two anti-Mubarak protesters are carried away, one shot in the head.

4:48 am AJE correspondents report that anti-government protesters have chased Mubarak supporters off the October 6 Bridge.

4:45 am Ramy Raoof, an anti-Mubarak activist at Tahrir Square, tells Al Jazeera that anti-government protesters are guarding all the entrances of the square as they are anticipating another attack from pro-Mubarak forces.

4:23 am Reuters reports that one protester has been killed. Our correspondent reports that the tank on the bridge has positioned itself is in the direction of the gunfire, toward where the anti-government protesters are, at a smaller square near Tahrir Square.

4:20 am Gunfire ricocheting off the October 6 bridge, with a tank moving toward where anti-government protesters are.

4:16 am AJE Web producer reports that there is automatic heavy caliber gunfire at Tahrir Square, which is probably the army trying to keep people at bay. "So much gunfire," he says. There are reports of seven people being wounded.

4:01 am Mubarak supporters take down a poster of the Egyptian president rather than risk having it burned by anti-government protesters, who were lobbing petrol bombs at it earlier.

3:46 am Skirmishes continue, with rocks and Molotov cocktails being fired off between anti-government protesters and Mubarak's supporters.

3:15 am Anti-government protesters are collecting rocks at a couple of the entrances to Tahrir Square in preparation to an attack. One of our Web producers reports that almost everyone in the square seems injured, is bandaged and limping. The mood there is "pretty fatalistic" with the anti-government protesters certain that the pro-Mubarak forces are "there to eliminate them".

3:01 am Al Jazeera's correspondent and Web producer report: Heavy police presence at the national museum, with anti-government protesters banging on metal railings and rocks raining down. Pro-Mubarak protesters have an "endless supply of molotov cocktails" that they're tossing at the anti-government demonstrators.

2:26 am AJE Web producer reports that tension is rising at Kasr al Nil (bridge) entrance to Tahrir Square, saying "They expect an attack here."

2:03 am The fire at the residential building seems to have subsided.

1:47 am Al Jazeera correspondent, reporting from just off Tahrir Square reports that dozens of Mubarak supporters have erected a barricades on either side of a road, trapping anti-government protesters. They are also gathering stones, breaking streetlights and putting on balaclavas, covering their faces, apparently in preparation for a fresh standoff with anti-government protesters. Sources tell our correspondent that the men preparing for the standoff are police officers.

1:35 am Despite fires both at Tahrir Square and at a residential building, an AJE correspondent reports that there is no military intervention and there are no fire trucks on the scene.

1:17 am There are several cars on fire at Tahrir Square

1:01 am Pro-Mubarak supporters retreat to an overpass, where they are tossing petrol bombs at the crowd below. The army is not doing anything to intervene.

12:51 am A standoff is taking place in front of Egypt's national museum, where rocks and petrol bombs are flying.



12:45 am AJE Web producer, reporting from Tahrir Square says large caliber shots are being fired by the Egyptian army. It seems that they're "shooting in the air.'

12:15 am Mustafa Hussein, a physician working in a makeshift hospital set up near Tahrir Square, tells Al Jazeera that the square is "in less chaos" and that the hospital is flooded with calls offering supplies. He also said that many of the injuries he saw today were head injuries as a result of protesters being pelted by rocks.

12:10 am AJE Web producer, reporting from Tahrir Square, reports no police presence at this point, and says that the anti-government protesters outnumbered the pro-Mubarak supporters.

Recent Tweets...the violence is ongoing, throughout the night...

bencnn benwedeman
More gunfire from #Tahrir, more than we've heard yet. #Jan25 #Egypt

Protester killed in #Egypt as Mubarak supporters open fire at demonstrators in Cairo - Al Arabiya TV quotes doctor on scene