In an attempt to bring a cessation of violence in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, military police moved in to halt protesters and police. A truce was declared Wednesday. Three hours later, the truce dissolved as protesters began throwing rocks and tear gas was fired in retaliation. The military police were unable to subdue the regular security forces. The highest religious official, Egypt’s grand mufti, called on police to put down their weapons.
Unrest has increased in Egypt since Saturday, when protesters in Tahrir Square called for the nation’s military rulers to step down. The clashes have become increasingly violent, with the death toll rising to 35. The number of wounded is around 3,250. A U.N. human rights official called on Egypt to “end the clearly excessive use of force.”
