Egyptian opposition renew protests

Egyptian demonstrators launched a march from Mustafa Mahmoud Square to Tahrir Square, expressing their protest against what they regarded as falsification and electoral violations in the first phase of the constitutional referendum. About 300 demonstrators organised a mass rally to Egypt’s Presidential Palace raising banners reading: “We are all the National Salvation Front,” while clashes erupted in the area surrounding the palace. Witnesses said that a number of young men attempted to reach the demonstrations, while refusing to show their identification cards to public committees. The demonstrators managed to expel the young men who attempted to use violence, including Molotov cocktails, against them. Republican guards secured the area around the Presidential Palace, fixing barbed wires around the gates, while a state of cautious calm presided following the clashes. Demonstration demanded the cancellation of Egypt’s referendum, while security forces and republican guards intensified their security measures to deal with further escalation.