Trouble In Egypt - February 3rd-February 4th

Conflict started in the early hours of February 3rd with a stand-off in front of the Egyptian Museum, with rocks and petrol bombs flying along with large-calibre shots into the air from the military. Following the stand-off there was a heavy police presence at the museum and anti-government protesters were seen banging on metal railings while rocks were thrown at them. Pro-Mubarak protesters also continued to throw Molotov cocktails at protesters. Mansoura and Alexandria also saw up to a million people march and people were offered food and money to fight against the anti-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square (banks are not due to open for two days).

In an interview with ABC, President Mubarak admitted that he was fed up with power, but fears that if he stands down Egypt will descend into (more) chaos, of which the Muslim Brotherhood could take advantage. He also said he does not like seeing Egyptians fight each other and he doesn't care what people think of him, just his country, claiming he will "die on this soil". The Vice President has also reasserted that Mubarak will not run for another term and nor will anyone in his family.

During the night tanks rolled through the streets of Cairo in preparation for what was dubbed the "Friday of Departure" by organisers. Pro-Mubarak protesters were also active and some small clashes took place. Hundreds of thousands gathered to participate in Friday day prayer in Tahrir Square, with events planned to take place afterwards, whilst Christians and others not performing Friday prayers formed a human chain around those praying to protect them from potential disruptions. Many protests took place in other cities in Egypt and protesters in Alexandria warned the government that if they used violence against protesters in Cairo, they would march to Cairo to join them. Despite these protests, President Mubarak remains in office.

Several times over the past week journalists have been victims of violence and Ahmad Mohamed Mahmoud of Al-Ta'awun has become the first to die after he was shot on January 28th. The Prosecutor General has also frozen the accounts of numerous government officials and stopped them from leaving the country.