Thousands of police clashed with protesters for control of Cairo's Tahrir Square on Saturday. The violence comes nine days before Egypt's first elections since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak in February.
Protesters hurled rocks at police, crowds attacked an armored police truck, rocking it and eventually setting it on fire. Egyptian security forces tried to stop activists from organizing a long-term sit-in in Cairo’s downtown.
At least 81 people were injured, according to Egyptian state TV. AP reports that its cameraman saw at least three people arrested, when they refused to leave the square.
The violence began when riot police attacked around 200 peaceful demonstrators, who had camped out in the square overnight, and dismantled a tent camp set up to commemorate protesters killed in the uprising. Police were said to be firing rubber bullets, tear gas and beating protesters with batons to clear the area. Source
