Advertisement

EGYPT: White House denounces violent turn of Cairo protests

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The White House swiftly condemned the violent turn of events in Egypt on Wednesday after supporters of President Hosni Mubarak charged into anti-government protests in a central Cairo square atop horses and camels and beat demonstrators demanding Mubarak’s resignation.

‘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,’ White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said after images of the violence dominated television news coverage Wednesday. ‘We repeat our strong call for restraint.’

Advertisement

Several journalists covering the escalating challenge of Mubarak’s authority have been detained or threatened by government supporters who showed up in force after Mubarak vowed Tuesday night to serve out his presidential term. The Egyptian leader, who’s been in power for nearly 30 years, did promise not to seek reelection in the autumn, but that assurance appeared to anger rather than appease his opponents.

RELATED

Government moves to restore normalcy fail as protests, clashes intensify

Mubarak recognizes need for change, White House says

ElBaradei says Mubarak needs to leave now, hand power to caretakers

-- Carol J. Williams

Advertisement