Tweet
30 January 2011
Last updated at 10:21 ET
Tension is mounting in the Egyptian capital Cairo after the military staged an apparent show of strength during a sixth day of anti-government protests.
Two air force jets and a helicopter repeatedly flew low over Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the main gathering point for demonstrators.
A column of tanks arrived there only to have its path blocked by protesters.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for an "orderly transition" of power in Egypt.
Mrs Clinton told ABC News that Washington wanted to see change that would bring about a democratic government.
"We want to see restraint, we do not want to see violence by any security forces," she added.
Defiance The BBC's Jeremy Bowen, in Tahrir Square, says there is a mood of defiance among the anti-government protesters there, who are accusing the military of trying to intimidate them.
The arrival of the column of tanks and the buzzing of the square by the jets significantly raised the tension among the thousands of people gathered.
Earlier in the day, despite the presence of armoured vehicles, the protesters appeared to have free rein in the city centre, with no sign of the riot police with whom they have clashed violently in recent days.
Continue reading the main story AT THE SCENE
Two Egyptian jets repeatedly buzzed the square at low level. As well as that there was a helicopter in the air also at low level and a column of around 10 modern battle tanks was driven to the edge of the square.
When the tanks arrived the people demonstrated in front of them saying they wouldn't let them go any further. The jets made repeated passes over the square and over the people who shouted their defiance.
One man said to me, and this view is shared by others who I have spoken to, that the authorities are trying to scare us and President Mubarak is playing with the army and trying to terrify them.
At the moment there's a mood of defiance here among the people, which you can feel, as well as apprehension.
At one point, an army officer was carried aloft on the shoulders of cheering protesters.
The police, who have been involved in violent clashes with protesters in recent days, have largely disappeared from the streets.
Clashes between protesters and the security forces - mostly riot police - are reported to have left at least 100 people dead across Egypt since rallies began on Tuesday. Thousands have been injured as violence has flared in cities including Cairo, Suez and Alexandria.
Meanwhile, al-Jazeera's broadcasts via an Egyptian satellite have been halted. The Egyptian government had earlier ordered the Arabic TV channel, which has been showing blanket coverage of the protests, to shut down its operations in the country.
Sunday is the start of the working week in the Middle East, but many businesses in the capital are closed. Internet access remains intermittent.
Throughout the city, armed citizens' groups have formed to respond to the widespread looting and disorder that has accompanied the growing sense of lawlessness.
In the northern coastal city of Alexandria, thousands of anti-government protesters marched on a mosque for the funerals of two demonstrators killed in clashes with police the previous day.
The BBC's John Simpson, in Alexandria, reports that there is a heavy military presence and a tense atmosphere in the city.
Across Egypt, thousands of prisoners are reported to have escaped from jails after overpowering their guards.
Travel advice Mr Mubarak has appointed a vice-president - intelligence chief Omar Suleiman - as he struggles to regain control. Aviation Minister Ahmed Shafiq has been appointed prime minister.
Sunday saw a number of Egyptian political movements issue a joint statement calling on leading opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei to form a transitional government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government is watching events in Egypt carefully, and hoping to maintain peaceful relations with its Arab neighbour.
The Rafah crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip is closed, Palestinian officials say.
The US government, which previously had advised US citizens against non-essential travel to Egypt, is now advising Americans in Egypt to consider leaving the country as soon as possible.
The UK has advised against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.
A number of other European countries have also advised against visiting the country.
The unrest in Egypt follows an uprising in Tunisia two weeks ago which toppled President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power.
The Tunisian upheaval began with anger over rising food prices, high unemployment and anger at official corruption - problems which have also left many people in Egypt feeling frustrated and resentful of their leadership.
Are you in Egypt? Are you taking part in a protest or have you witnessed any of the latest events? Are you a tourist attempting to leave? You can send us your pictures and stories using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Powered By WizardRSS
Two air force jets and a helicopter repeatedly flew low over Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the main gathering point for demonstrators.
A column of tanks arrived there only to have its path blocked by protesters.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for an "orderly transition" of power in Egypt.
Mrs Clinton told ABC News that Washington wanted to see change that would bring about a democratic government.
"We want to see restraint, we do not want to see violence by any security forces," she added.
Defiance The BBC's Jeremy Bowen, in Tahrir Square, says there is a mood of defiance among the anti-government protesters there, who are accusing the military of trying to intimidate them.
The arrival of the column of tanks and the buzzing of the square by the jets significantly raised the tension among the thousands of people gathered.
Earlier in the day, despite the presence of armoured vehicles, the protesters appeared to have free rein in the city centre, with no sign of the riot police with whom they have clashed violently in recent days.
Continue reading the main story AT THE SCENE
Two Egyptian jets repeatedly buzzed the square at low level. As well as that there was a helicopter in the air also at low level and a column of around 10 modern battle tanks was driven to the edge of the square.
When the tanks arrived the people demonstrated in front of them saying they wouldn't let them go any further. The jets made repeated passes over the square and over the people who shouted their defiance.
One man said to me, and this view is shared by others who I have spoken to, that the authorities are trying to scare us and President Mubarak is playing with the army and trying to terrify them.
At the moment there's a mood of defiance here among the people, which you can feel, as well as apprehension.
At one point, an army officer was carried aloft on the shoulders of cheering protesters.
The police, who have been involved in violent clashes with protesters in recent days, have largely disappeared from the streets.
Clashes between protesters and the security forces - mostly riot police - are reported to have left at least 100 people dead across Egypt since rallies began on Tuesday. Thousands have been injured as violence has flared in cities including Cairo, Suez and Alexandria.
Meanwhile, al-Jazeera's broadcasts via an Egyptian satellite have been halted. The Egyptian government had earlier ordered the Arabic TV channel, which has been showing blanket coverage of the protests, to shut down its operations in the country.
Sunday is the start of the working week in the Middle East, but many businesses in the capital are closed. Internet access remains intermittent.
Throughout the city, armed citizens' groups have formed to respond to the widespread looting and disorder that has accompanied the growing sense of lawlessness.
In the northern coastal city of Alexandria, thousands of anti-government protesters marched on a mosque for the funerals of two demonstrators killed in clashes with police the previous day.
The BBC's John Simpson, in Alexandria, reports that there is a heavy military presence and a tense atmosphere in the city.
Across Egypt, thousands of prisoners are reported to have escaped from jails after overpowering their guards.
Travel advice Mr Mubarak has appointed a vice-president - intelligence chief Omar Suleiman - as he struggles to regain control. Aviation Minister Ahmed Shafiq has been appointed prime minister.
Sunday saw a number of Egyptian political movements issue a joint statement calling on leading opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei to form a transitional government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government is watching events in Egypt carefully, and hoping to maintain peaceful relations with its Arab neighbour.
The Rafah crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip is closed, Palestinian officials say.
The US government, which previously had advised US citizens against non-essential travel to Egypt, is now advising Americans in Egypt to consider leaving the country as soon as possible.
The UK has advised against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.
A number of other European countries have also advised against visiting the country.
The unrest in Egypt follows an uprising in Tunisia two weeks ago which toppled President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power.
The Tunisian upheaval began with anger over rising food prices, high unemployment and anger at official corruption - problems which have also left many people in Egypt feeling frustrated and resentful of their leadership.
Are you in Egypt? Are you taking part in a protest or have you witnessed any of the latest events? Are you a tourist attempting to leave? You can send us your pictures and stories using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Powered By WizardRSS
Comment