Egypt

Political forces vow to resume revolution

Two Egyptian political groups have vowed to resume the 25 January revolution following clashes between protesters and security forces in downtown Cairo on Saturday.

The violence, which spread to Alexandria and other governorates, left at least two dead and 766 injured, according to the Health Ministry.

Excessive violence used by security forces to disperse a sit-in at Cairo's Tahrir Square on Saturday drew the condemnation of various political groups.

On its Facebook page, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party said, "The people will not give up their revolution and will not replace old tyrants with new ones." It said repressive practices by the country's interim rulers will not dissuade the people from their legitimate right to resume the revolution.

"The way security handled the protesters is a revival of police crimes during the revolution, in defense of the ousted president and his murderous and corrupt aides," the party said.

It held the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) responsible for endangering the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for 28 November, as a result of the "suspicious and irresponsible practices" of security services.

Meanwhile, the April 6 Youth Movement released a stern statement on Sunday slamming the police assaults on protesters.

The statement ridiculed the repeated apologies the ruling military gives following any assault on protesters. "All options are available," the statement said. "Egyptians will remain in the square, and you will retreat in their face as you used to," the statement said to the Interior Ministry's Central Security Forces.

The movement also called for the removal of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawy, demanding the latter be referred to trial.

Observers and revolutionary groups believe Egypt’s security forces have maintained their old, repressive policies adopted under the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak. Police and civilians have been at loggerheads since the deaths of thousands of protesters at the hands of security forces during the 18-day uprising that ended Mubarak’s rule in February.

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