WAR ON IRAK

al-jazeera.net: Cairo witnesses largest demonstrations in years

As war broke out in Iraq, there was no question that Egypt would witness popular demonstrations; but no one predicted the sheer size that they would take on. For the first time since the 1970s, Egyptians took over Midan Tahrir on 20 March, and the next day witnessed running battles between demonstrators and riot police through the broad avenues of downtown Cairo.

There were around 3-4,000 people in Midan Tahrir on 20 March and over 10,000 on the streets the next day--not counting the myriad smaller demonstrations around the country as well. Official counts put the injured from the two days at under 100, though many believe it to be higher and the Lawyers’ Syndicate has said that over 800 people have subsequently been detained.

By 22 March, the city was quiet again as police began the process of rounding up troublemakers in earnest. The Interior Ministry announced that while it had nothing against future demonstrations, it only asked that organizers ask permission first--a permission few people see likely to be extended any time soon.