CAIRO, Feb 8, (Agencies): At least 297 people have been killed in protests against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak since Jan 28, Human Rights Watch said, adding that the real death toll is likely to be significantly higher. Egypt researcher Heba Morayef said on Human Rights Watch's website that the US-based rights group had confirmed 232 deaths in Cairo, 52 in Alexandria and 13 in Suez. The vast majority died on Jan 28 and 29 as a result of live gunfire, she said. On both days, riot police fought running battles with protesters around the country demanding Mubarak stand down. "A significant proportion came as a result of rubber bullets fired at too close a range and tear gas canisters fired into the crowd at close range," Morayef said. Human Rights Watch believes that hospital officials were instructed to downplay the overall number of deaths, Morayef said.
"The actual number of deaths will likely be significantly higher than 297, because our count is only based on key hospitals in three cities. We have only included numbers of dead that we were able to verify ourselves," she said. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said on February 1 that unconfirmed reports suggested that as many as 300 people may have been killed, with more than 3,000 others injured and hundreds arrested. Egyptians staged one of their biggest protests yet on Tuesday demanding President Hosni Mubarak step down now, their wrath undiminished by the vice president's announcement of a plan to transfer power.
With the government refusing to budge on the demonstrators' main demands, Vice President Omar Suleiman promised no reprisals against the protesters for their campaign now entering a third week to eject Mubarak after 30 years in office. Protesters on Cairo's central Tahrir square accused the government of merely playing for time, and swore they would not give up until the current "half revolution" was complete. Tens of thousands poured into the square to join those already camped there, filling it completely for the third time since the demonstrations began on Jan 25. Many said it was their first time taking part.
"I came here for the first time today because this cabinet is a failure, Mubarak is still meeting the same ugly faces," said Afaf Naged, 71, a former member of the board of directors of the state-owned National Bank of Egypt. "He can't believe it is over. He is a very stubborn man." Suleiman, a long-time intelligence chief, has led talks this week with opposition groups including the Muslim Brotherhood — Mubarak's sworn enemies. In comments broadcast on state television, he said: "A clear road map has been put in place with a set timetable to realise the peaceful and organised transfer of power." So far the government has conceded little ground in the talks. The 82-year-old president, who has promised to stand down when his term expires in September, appears to be weathering the storm engulfing Egypt for the moment at least. Talks between the government and opposition factions took place on Sunday under the gaze of a giant portrait of Mubarak.
Many in a country where about 40 percent of people live on less than $2 a day are desperate to return to work and normal life, even some of those wanting to oust Mubarak. For Cairo cab driver Mustafa Fikri, the last thing on his mind was protesting against Mubarak's rule. He couldn't even be at his wife's hospital bedside when she gave birth to their first son on Monday, as he was working. Fikri cried for joy but still could not call it a day and head to the hospital. "If I don't work my family will starve. There isn't any money left in the house." Some normality is returning to Cairo. Traffic was bumper-to- bumper in the city centre on Tuesday and queues quickly built up at banks, which have so far opened only for restricted hours. But people on Tahrir Square were sceptical about the talks and suspicious of Mubarak's motives. Youssef Hussein, a 52-year-old tourist driver from Aswan, held up a sign saying: "Dialogue prolongs the life of the regime and gives it the kiss of life. No dialogue until Mubarak leaves." "This dialogue is just on paper, it is just political manoeuvring to gain time," said Sayed Hagaz from the Nile Delta.
Revolution
Ayman Farag, a Cairo lawyer, said the protesters' work was far from complete. "What has happened so far is only half a revolution and I hope it will continue to the end," he said.
Suleiman promised that the harassment of protesters would end. "The president emphasised that Egypt's youth deserve the appreciation of the nation and issued a directive to prevent them being pursued, harassed or having their right to freedom of expression taken away," he said.
Tuesday's rally and another called for Friday are tests of the protesters' ability to maintain pressure on Mubarak.
Naged, the bank board member, said she had been inspired to join the protests by another business figure, Google Inc executive Wael Ghonim, who was freed on Monday after two weeks in which he said state security kept him blindfolded.
Activists say the Ghonim was behind a Facebook group that helped to inspire the protests.
Ayman Farag, a Cairo lawyer, said the protesters' work was far from complete. "What has happened so far is only half a revolution and I hope it will continue to the end," he said.
Suleiman promised that the harassment of protesters would end. "The president emphasised that Egypt's youth deserve the appreciation of the nation and issued a directive to prevent them being pursued, harassed or having their right to freedom of expression taken away," he said.
Tuesday's rally and another called for Friday are tests of the protesters' ability to maintain pressure on Mubarak.
Naged, the bank board member, said she had been inspired to join the protests by another business figure, Google Inc executive Wael Ghonim, who was freed on Monday after two weeks in which he said state security kept him blindfolded.
Activists say the Ghonim was behind a Facebook group that helped to inspire the protests.
"I am not a symbol or a hero or anything like that, but what happened to me is a crime," he told private Egyptian station Dream TV after his release. "We have to tear down this system based on not being able to speak out."
Google had launched a service to help Egyptians circumvent government Internet restrictions to use the social network Twitter by dialling a telephone number and leaving a voice mail that would then be sent on the online service.
Meanwhile, Germany's foreign minister said Tuesday Hosni Mubarak had not asked for medical treatment in the country, as his Luxembourg counterpart urged him to take the embattled Egyptian president in if requested.
Amid media reports that Mubarak could seek extended medical leave in the country, Guido Westerwelle told reporters: "I am not currently aware of such a request and therefore see no reason ... to contribute to the speculation."
Google had launched a service to help Egyptians circumvent government Internet restrictions to use the social network Twitter by dialling a telephone number and leaving a voice mail that would then be sent on the online service.
Meanwhile, Germany's foreign minister said Tuesday Hosni Mubarak had not asked for medical treatment in the country, as his Luxembourg counterpart urged him to take the embattled Egyptian president in if requested.
Amid media reports that Mubarak could seek extended medical leave in the country, Guido Westerwelle told reporters: "I am not currently aware of such a request and therefore see no reason ... to contribute to the speculation."
"This debate stems from the fact that President Mubarak has already received medical treatment in Germany several times in the past," added the minister.
Mubarak, who on Tuesday was facing continued protests calling for his resignation, has previously undergone care in Germany at least twice.
And respected news magazine Der Spiegel has reported that advanced talks are ongoing "with appropriate hospitals", citing in particularly the Max-Grundig clinic in the town of Buehl in southern Germany near the French border.
Last year, the 82-year-old had his gall bladder and a growth from his small intestine removed in an operation at the University of Heidelberg hospital, making a full recovery.
Westerwelle's comments followed earlier remarks by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn who urged Berlin to allow Mubarak to receive medical treatment in Germany if he requests it.
If Mubarak were to seek such treatment, "Germany should not refuse," Asselborn told the Tagesspiegel daily in an interview to appear on Wednesday.
Mubarak, who on Tuesday was facing continued protests calling for his resignation, has previously undergone care in Germany at least twice.
And respected news magazine Der Spiegel has reported that advanced talks are ongoing "with appropriate hospitals", citing in particularly the Max-Grundig clinic in the town of Buehl in southern Germany near the French border.
Last year, the 82-year-old had his gall bladder and a growth from his small intestine removed in an operation at the University of Heidelberg hospital, making a full recovery.
Westerwelle's comments followed earlier remarks by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn who urged Berlin to allow Mubarak to receive medical treatment in Germany if he requests it.
If Mubarak were to seek such treatment, "Germany should not refuse," Asselborn told the Tagesspiegel daily in an interview to appear on Wednesday.
Tunis
Gunshots were fired in the centre of the Tunisian capital on Tuesday, people in the area said, in a new blow to faltering efforts to restore security after the overthrow of the autocratic president.
Three witnesses told Reuters they heard shooting coming from streets near Avenue Bourguiba, the main thoroughfare in Tunis, but none could see who was responsible.
"I heard sporadic gunfire," one of the witnesses, who was near the Tunis city government building, told Reuters. Soon after, the area was back to normal with no signs of any disturbances. Security had seemed to be slowly returning to Tunisia three weeks after a wave of protests forced President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, in power for 23 years, to flee to Saudi Arabia.
But in the past few days violence has flared up again, with at least five people killed since Friday in clashes between police and protesters in provincial towns. Army reservists have been called up to help restore order.
The gunshots on Tuesday were the first time shooting had been heard in the capital for at least two weeks.
Tunisia's uprising against Ben Ali's authoritarian rule inspired protest movements elsewhere in the Arab world, notably in Egypt, and its halting progress towards stability is being watched closely in the region.
The European Union, Tunisia's biggest trading partner and a major donor of development aid, said it was putting together an assistance package at the request of the Tunisian authorities.
Gunshots were fired in the centre of the Tunisian capital on Tuesday, people in the area said, in a new blow to faltering efforts to restore security after the overthrow of the autocratic president.
Three witnesses told Reuters they heard shooting coming from streets near Avenue Bourguiba, the main thoroughfare in Tunis, but none could see who was responsible.
"I heard sporadic gunfire," one of the witnesses, who was near the Tunis city government building, told Reuters. Soon after, the area was back to normal with no signs of any disturbances. Security had seemed to be slowly returning to Tunisia three weeks after a wave of protests forced President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, in power for 23 years, to flee to Saudi Arabia.
But in the past few days violence has flared up again, with at least five people killed since Friday in clashes between police and protesters in provincial towns. Army reservists have been called up to help restore order.
The gunshots on Tuesday were the first time shooting had been heard in the capital for at least two weeks.
Tunisia's uprising against Ben Ali's authoritarian rule inspired protest movements elsewhere in the Arab world, notably in Egypt, and its halting progress towards stability is being watched closely in the region.
The European Union, Tunisia's biggest trading partner and a major donor of development aid, said it was putting together an assistance package at the request of the Tunisian authorities.
In a further show of international support, Britain's foreign minister, William Hague, became the most senior Western official to visit since Ben Ali's ouster.
"We are witnessing a moment of opportunity here in Tunisia and in many other countries, an opportunity which should be seized rather than feared," he told a news conference in Tunis.
There were new signs of unrest in provincial towns — though not on the same scale as on previous days — with many protesters demanding that regional governors step down because they had ties to Ben Ali's administration.
In the town of Gafsa, near the border with Algeria, a senior school attended by 1,500 pupils caught fire in an apparent arson attack, official media reported.
Two trade union sources in Gassrine, about 250 kms (155 miles) southwest of Tunis, told Reuters several hundred people were blocking the highway into the town to protest at what they said was neglect by the central government.
Some 234 people have been killed in unrest in Tunisia that led to the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and 510 have been injured, an official source told AFP on Tuesday.
"We are witnessing a moment of opportunity here in Tunisia and in many other countries, an opportunity which should be seized rather than feared," he told a news conference in Tunis.
There were new signs of unrest in provincial towns — though not on the same scale as on previous days — with many protesters demanding that regional governors step down because they had ties to Ben Ali's administration.
In the town of Gafsa, near the border with Algeria, a senior school attended by 1,500 pupils caught fire in an apparent arson attack, official media reported.
Two trade union sources in Gassrine, about 250 kms (155 miles) southwest of Tunis, told Reuters several hundred people were blocking the highway into the town to protest at what they said was neglect by the central government.
Some 234 people have been killed in unrest in Tunisia that led to the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and 510 have been injured, an official source told AFP on Tuesday.
Tunisia's Defense Ministry called up recently retired troops Monday as the country struggled to contain unrest that has persisted even after the ouster of the North African country's dictatorial regime.
A statement published by official news agency TAP asked soldiers who have retired within the past five years, as well as youths who recently completed military service, to report for duty starting Sunday. It was not immediately clear how many reinforcements the move would bring.
Tunisia has been trying to restore order since former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled into exile Jan 14 following a month of nationwide anti-government protests.
Unrest has continued since then in some regions, in the form of looting and unrest by gangs of knife-roaming thugs. There are widespread fears that Ben Ali loyalists are encouraging anarchy to upset what Tunisians call a "people's revolution."
This weekend brought the worst violence in Tunisia since Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia, ending 23 years in power. Crowds pillaged and burned a police station in the northwestern city of Kef, a day after police shot dead at least two demonstrators.
A statement published by official news agency TAP asked soldiers who have retired within the past five years, as well as youths who recently completed military service, to report for duty starting Sunday. It was not immediately clear how many reinforcements the move would bring.
Tunisia has been trying to restore order since former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled into exile Jan 14 following a month of nationwide anti-government protests.
Unrest has continued since then in some regions, in the form of looting and unrest by gangs of knife-roaming thugs. There are widespread fears that Ben Ali loyalists are encouraging anarchy to upset what Tunisians call a "people's revolution."
This weekend brought the worst violence in Tunisia since Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia, ending 23 years in power. Crowds pillaged and burned a police station in the northwestern city of Kef, a day after police shot dead at least two demonstrators.
Hague
Britain's foreign secretary met with Tunisia's interim government Tuesday, kicking off a whirlwind three-day trip to five countries in northern Africa and the Middle East amid a wave of popular protests in the region.
In discussions with interim Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammmed Ghannouchi, William Hague laid out how the UK will work with Tunisian leaders to "make the most of the current opportunity for change," the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Calling it a "a time of great opportunity in the Middle East," Hague seized on the transition in Tunisia — where protests prompted the ouster of former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali — to pledge 5 million pounds (about $8 million) of UK funding in support of "reform" projects across the Middle East. The money is earmarked to promote access to justice, freedom of expression and democratic institutions.
"The courage, dignity and sacrifice of ordinary people in Tunisia in pursuit of universal freedoms that we take for granted has been inspiring," Hague said.
He will now fly to Jordan where he will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah II to "set out the need for urgent progress on the Middle East Peace Process," according to the Foreign Office.
Britain's foreign secretary met with Tunisia's interim government Tuesday, kicking off a whirlwind three-day trip to five countries in northern Africa and the Middle East amid a wave of popular protests in the region.
In discussions with interim Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammmed Ghannouchi, William Hague laid out how the UK will work with Tunisian leaders to "make the most of the current opportunity for change," the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Calling it a "a time of great opportunity in the Middle East," Hague seized on the transition in Tunisia — where protests prompted the ouster of former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali — to pledge 5 million pounds (about $8 million) of UK funding in support of "reform" projects across the Middle East. The money is earmarked to promote access to justice, freedom of expression and democratic institutions.
"The courage, dignity and sacrifice of ordinary people in Tunisia in pursuit of universal freedoms that we take for granted has been inspiring," Hague said.
He will now fly to Jordan where he will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah II to "set out the need for urgent progress on the Middle East Peace Process," according to the Foreign Office.
Yemen
emen police arrested 12 protesters after firing warning shots to disperse a demonstration in the southern city of Aden, witnesses said, adding that a militant from the Southern Movement was wounded.
Dozens of supporters of the secessionist movement gathered for the late Monday protest in Aden's Al-Mansura district, chanting slogans against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime and demanding the secession of the south, the witnesses said.
"The people want to topple the regime," protesters shouted, echoing a slogan repeated during protests that have rocked Tunisia and Egypt.
The protesters set car tyres ablaze before police began firing tear gas and warning shots, the witnesses said.
A medical official confirmed that a man, described by witnesses as a militant from the Southern Movement, was shot in his leg.
Police also arrested 12 protesters, the witnesses said.
Yemen's secessionist Southern Movement meanwhile issued a statement calling for protests on Friday to mark a "day of rage" in the southern provinces.
Two people were wounded last Thursday when police dispersed a similar protest in the heavily patrolled city of Aden.
emen police arrested 12 protesters after firing warning shots to disperse a demonstration in the southern city of Aden, witnesses said, adding that a militant from the Southern Movement was wounded.
Dozens of supporters of the secessionist movement gathered for the late Monday protest in Aden's Al-Mansura district, chanting slogans against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime and demanding the secession of the south, the witnesses said.
"The people want to topple the regime," protesters shouted, echoing a slogan repeated during protests that have rocked Tunisia and Egypt.
The protesters set car tyres ablaze before police began firing tear gas and warning shots, the witnesses said.
A medical official confirmed that a man, described by witnesses as a militant from the Southern Movement, was shot in his leg.
Police also arrested 12 protesters, the witnesses said.
Yemen's secessionist Southern Movement meanwhile issued a statement calling for protests on Friday to mark a "day of rage" in the southern provinces.
Two people were wounded last Thursday when police dispersed a similar protest in the heavily patrolled city of Aden.
South Yemen, where residents complain of discrimination by the Sanaa government in the allocation of resources, is frequently the scene of unrest.
The south was independent from 1967 until 1990 when it united with the north. It launched an abortive secession bid in 1994 and is still home to an active secessionist movement.
Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country and the ancestral homeland of Osama bin Laden, has also been struggling to combat an al-Qaeda resurgence as well as Shiite unrest in the north.
Meanwhile, a suspected US spy drone crashed near the south Yemen town of Loder on Tuesday before al-Qaeda gunmen made off with the wreckage, a police official and witnesses said.
The drone crashed in Jahayn village near Loder, in Yemen's Abyan province where al-Qaeda has a strong presence, and was found by local residents, the official told AFP.
Witnesses said residents called in police, who collected the debris.
But as they headed to a police station about 30 kms (18 miles) away, al-Qaeda gunmen in cars intercepted the police and hijacked the wreckage. There were no reports of casualties.
The police official said the drone was a Predator, which is used for reconnaissance but can also be armed with missiles. The US military has widely used Predator drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he believed the drone was "monitoring the movements of al-Qaeda partisans, who have a strong presence" in Loder.
Government forces and alleged al-Qaeda militants fought a deadly battle in Loder in late August.
At least 33 people — 19 militants, 11 soldiers, and three civilians — were killed in the fighting, according to an AFP tally based on official and medical sources.
The south was independent from 1967 until 1990 when it united with the north. It launched an abortive secession bid in 1994 and is still home to an active secessionist movement.
Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country and the ancestral homeland of Osama bin Laden, has also been struggling to combat an al-Qaeda resurgence as well as Shiite unrest in the north.
Meanwhile, a suspected US spy drone crashed near the south Yemen town of Loder on Tuesday before al-Qaeda gunmen made off with the wreckage, a police official and witnesses said.
The drone crashed in Jahayn village near Loder, in Yemen's Abyan province where al-Qaeda has a strong presence, and was found by local residents, the official told AFP.
Witnesses said residents called in police, who collected the debris.
But as they headed to a police station about 30 kms (18 miles) away, al-Qaeda gunmen in cars intercepted the police and hijacked the wreckage. There were no reports of casualties.
The police official said the drone was a Predator, which is used for reconnaissance but can also be armed with missiles. The US military has widely used Predator drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he believed the drone was "monitoring the movements of al-Qaeda partisans, who have a strong presence" in Loder.
Government forces and alleged al-Qaeda militants fought a deadly battle in Loder in late August.
At least 33 people — 19 militants, 11 soldiers, and three civilians — were killed in the fighting, according to an AFP tally based on official and medical sources.
