February 2, 2011 8:44 PM

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Situation in Egypt grim following violent clashes in Cairo

In Egypt, the supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak clashed violently with opposition protesters after marching into an anti-regime rally in Tahrir Square on Wednesday. Protesters from both sides threw stones at each other in the divided square in which several people have been reported injured. Soldiers, which were present at Tahrrir Square, did not intervene.As demonstrators are gathered at Tahrir Square in Cairo calling for ouster of President Mubarak, the defence ministry has urged the youth to return home. In a statement broadcast on state television, a ministry spokesman said, they have the power to allow Egypt to return to normal life. Opposition parties defied the army orders to “go home” saying they planned to go ahead with a massive rally after the Friday prayers. Their leaders have served an ultimatum on Mubarak to quit by then.Meanwhile, the Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei who has become a leading opposition figure, said Mubarak's decision is an act of deception that would only extend the agony. But Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa who is a former Egyptian foreign minister said, demonstrators should weigh what Mubarak has said before responding. Government has imposed curfew from 8-30 pm Indian time on Wednesday to 10-30 am on Thursday.Earlier, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced last night that he will not stand for re-election in September. Speaking on state TV, he promised constitutional reform and said he wanted to stay until the end of his current presidential term. Mr. Mubarak added that his first responsibility is now to bring security and stability to the nation to ensure a peaceful transition of power. US President Barack Obama said that Egypt's orderly transition must begin now. He said the US would be happy to offer assistance to Egypt during that process.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has said that unconfirmed reports suggest that as many as 300 people may have been killed so far, over 3,000 injured and hundreds arrested during ongoing unrest.An Air India plane, carrying over 250 stranded Indian passengers from strife-torn Egypt, will leave Cairo Wednesday night for Mumbai. The Regional Manager of Air India, Abhay Pathak told AIR that two batches of Indian nationals consisting more than 500 people have already reached India from Cairo.

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