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Anti-government protests are increasing in intensity across Egypt, as police clash with demonstrators in several cities demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
In Cairo, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, who responded by throwing stones.
People also took to the streets in the coastal cities of Suez and Alexandria.
The government has warned of "decisive measures". There has been disruption to internet and mobile phone services.
Overnight there was also an apparent crackdown on the banned Islamist opposition movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, after it said it would back the Friday protests.
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There's now a full-scale confrontation going on in the centre of Suez between riot police and several thousand protestors who've gathered again on the streets in the middle of the city. The Egyptian government has done everything it can to try to stop these protests from taking place again today.
There's no internet today in Egypt, the mobile phones here in Suez has been completely cut off, and in the state-run mosques here, the state imams told their congregations at Friday prayers not to go out into the streets again, but it hasn't worked.
Immediately Friday prayers were over at lunchtime today large crowds started to gather: people coming out of the mosques immediately going onto the streets and starting to protest. At least 3,000 people gathered on the street here in front of me.
Initially the protests here were completely peaceful, people calling for the government of Hosni Mubarak to step down, and for new elections. But about an hour later, riot police started to respond with tear gas and then the crowd started to throw stones.
They've attacked a police riot van, taken it over, and it's now been completely set ablaze. There's been a series of large explosions, as ammunition and tear gas grenades inside the vehicle have been going off.
At least seven people have died and up to 1,000 have been arrested since the protests began on Tuesday.
The unrest follows an uprising in Tunisia two weeks ago, in which President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali toppled
These people want democracy.
Nah, she's just simpleminded and ignorant.
Go listen to the young people who are protesting.
They want democracy.
It is also what the young people in Iran have protested for.
Maybe you people fear democracy?
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Could you name all of the Muslim nations where democracy reigns?
the world's largest population of Muslims. Indonesia is a republic
These people want democracy.
I wish that that were the case...for a decade at least the Muslim Brotherhood has been fomenting this kind of unrest...
They may hide behind a democracy movement, but we may be watching the birth of another Iran.
Could you name all of the Muslim nations where democracy reigns?
I'll start, Indonesia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediathe world's largest population of Muslims. Indonesia is a republic
These people want democracy.
The youth of the middle east want democracy.
They have protested for it in these countries.
You would think Americans would be glad
These people want democracy.
I wish that that were the case...for a decade at least the Muslim Brotherhood has been fomenting this kind of unrest...
They may hide behind a democracy movement, but we may be watching the birth of another Iran.
Iran's democracy is laughable. The Ayatollah (who is in charge of the entire country including miltary) and the Supreme Council are not elected. Even candidate for President and Parliament must submit to them for the OK. They regularly toss out the reformer candidates and push forward Hardline candidates.
But it doesn't matter because they rig the elections anyways!
I like Syria's democracy also. Asssssad is the only one on the Ballot sheet. So your option is to vote for Asssad or no one (no write in candidates allowed)!
The youth of the middle east want democracy.
They have protested for it in these countries.
You would think Americans would be glad