The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) agreed on Tuesday to call a halt to its violent clamp-down on pro-democracy protesters, in line with recommendations submitted to it by the Advisory Council.
The Egyptian media had broadcast images of army troops dispersing demonstrators during clashes before the cabinet building. One of the videos showed soldiers tearing the clothes off a woman.
The SCAF issued a statement, saying it is keen on protecting the dignity of all Egyptians and implementing the rule of law. It denounced the abuses that were committed.
The statement also said the army is obliged to protect public and private property, and that it must respect human rights, public freedoms and the right to demonstrate peacefully, provided such demonstrations do not interrupt business.
SCAF President Hussein Tantawi pledged to rebuild the Institut d’Egypte, which was burned down on Saturday during recent clashes near the cabinet building.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
