One Dead in Fresh Tahrir Square Clashes in Egypt as Election Looms
One person died in fresh clashes on Saturday, as the rift between Egypt's military rulers and activists who ousted Hosni Mubarak deepened just days before landmark polls.
The naming of a new prime minister, Kamal al-Ganzuri who once served as premier under Mubarak, failed to satisfy demands for change ahead of parliamentary elections due to start on Monday.
A 19-year-old demonstrator was fatally injured when police attacked a protest in front of the cabinet headquarters that rejected Ganzuri's appointment.
The victim died of massive internal bleeding from multiple fractures to the pelvis, possibly caused by a heavy vehicle.
Thousands spent another night in Tahrir Square -- the symbolic heart of protests that toppled Mubarak -- where they vowed to stay until their demand of civilian rule is met.
Dozens of tents have been pitched, a rubbish collection station was set up and street vendors roamed the square in a sign that protesters were settling in for the long haul.
On Friday, Ganzuri -- who served as Mubarak's prime minister between 1996 and 1999 -- assured Egyptians that the military had given him more powers than past cabinets, in a bid to placate protesters who accuse the SCAF of trying to retain control of the country.
But protesters in the square quickly rejected his appointment, saying he was not the man to lead a transition to democracy.
The protesters proposed a list of presidential candidates to form a civilian leadership council, including former U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei, a prominent dissident during Mubarak's rule.
The rallies came three days before the first parliamentary elections since Mubarak's ouster in February, which left the military in charge.
The military announced on Friday that voting would take place over two days, instead of one, in each of the election's three rounds.
Washington, a close ally of Egypt, called for a quick transfer to civilian rule.
"The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately," White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.
U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon renewed calls for the military rulers to ensure a "peaceful transition" after talks by telephone with Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of Egypt's military council.
And on Saturday EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called for an end to the violence in Egypt saying "the rule of law has to be maintained."
Source: Agence France Presse
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