Violent Clashes Erupt between Mubarak Fans, Foes in Cairo

Egyptian supporters of President Hosni Mubarak hold a placard reading in Arabic 'we really love Egypt' as they join a demonstration in Cairo, Egypt, 02 February 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Fights have broken out between supporters and opponents of embattled President Hosni Mubarak in the Egyptian capital's main square a day after a rally there gathered more than one million protestors.

Thousands of the president's supporters had surged into Cairo's Tahrir Square, dismantling barricades set up by anti-Mubarak groups, reports say.

The violent clashes erupted just hours after Egyptian defense ministry urged the demonstrators to return home, saying "it is time to go back to normal life".

Right after sunrise on Wednesday morning Cairo's Tahrir Square was packed with demonstrators, including families with young children, giving indications that the Egyptian capital will be rocked by protests against the rule for the ninth day.

President Mubarak said Tuesday he will not seek office again in elections scheduled for September, but vowed to stay in the country and finish his term.

The concession was made in a TV address following a rally that gathered more than one million protestors on the central square in Cairo.

The speech was rejected by the protestors in Cairo's Tahrir Square, where thousands of protesters erupted in chants of "Down with Mubarak!" and "The people want the president to be judged!".

Some waved shoes in the air -- a deep insult in the Arab world -- and said they would continue their demonstrations until he quits outright.

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