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Egypt protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square for third day Sporadic clashes in Egypt's Tahrir Square over protests
(about 1 hour later)
Protesters against Egypt's military rulers remain camped in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a third day, after the deaths of at least 13 people in violence over the weekend. Sporadic clashes have continued overnight between demonstrators and security forces in the Egyptian capital as protests enter a fourth day.
Security forces launched a major assault to clear the square on Sunday, but protesters returned within an hour. At least 13 people died and hundreds were injured over the weekend as troops launched a major assault to clear Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters.
The unrest casts a shadow over elections due to start next week.The unrest casts a shadow over elections due to start next week.
It is the longest continuous protest since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.It is the longest continuous protest since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.
Demonstrators say they fear Egypt's governing Supreme Council of the Armed Forces is trying to retain their grip on power. Demonstrators say they fear Egypt's governing Supreme Council of the Armed Forces is trying to retain its grip on power.
The council, led by Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, is charged with overseeing the country's transition to democracy after three decades of autocratic rule under Mr Mubarak.The council, led by Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, is charged with overseeing the country's transition to democracy after three decades of autocratic rule under Mr Mubarak.
Calls for his resignation could be heard during the weekend's protests.
'Worst violence in months''Worst violence in months'
Clashes were reported late into the night, with the injured being taken to makeshift clinics on the streets. Clashes were reported late into the night, with the injured being taken to makeshift clinics on the streets and in mosques around the square.
Demonstrators on Sunday were seen throwing stones and petrol bombs at armoured personnel carriers and police. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.Demonstrators on Sunday were seen throwing stones and petrol bombs at armoured personnel carriers and police. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
This is an enormous challenge for those who rule Egypt. Can they let the protesters stay in Tahrir Square indefinitely, can they really keep control of the situation, or do they risk even more damage to their reputation with the violence in the square?
I think deaths of the protesters this weekend, above all, is what is going to antagonise the people.
A lot of people were frustrated by the slow pace of change and the way the military were trying to entrench their powers, as the opposition certainly saw it.
But, as happened at the beginning of the protests against Hosni Mubarak's rule earlier this year, it was the deaths above all that really brought the people out on the streets.
Witnesses reported scenes of panic when hundreds of soldiers and police beat protesters on their heads as they chased them out of Tahrir Square.Witnesses reported scenes of panic when hundreds of soldiers and police beat protesters on their heads as they chased them out of Tahrir Square.
Protesters - some of them brandishing spent bullet casings - accuse security forces of also using live fire, a claim denied by police.Protesters - some of them brandishing spent bullet casings - accuse security forces of also using live fire, a claim denied by police.
In the early hours of Monday, state television reported that a truce had been agreed between the security forces and the imam of Tahrir Square's main Omar Makram mosque.
Sheikh Mazhar Shahin said the protesters had been given the go-ahead to continue their demonstration peacefully within the square.
But, says the BBC's Jon Leyne, the ceasefire does not apply to streets beyond the square, leading to the interior ministry, where much of the heaviest fighting has been taking place - and where some clashes were reported to be continuing.
Violence has also taken place in other cities including Alexandria, Suez and Aswan.Violence has also taken place in other cities including Alexandria, Suez and Aswan.
A total of 11 people were reportedly killed on Sunday and two on Saturday, according to medical sources. Health officials say as many as 900 have been injured, including at least 40 security personnel. At least 11 people were killed on Sunday and two on Saturday, according to medical sources. Health officials say as many as 900 have been injured, including at least 40 security personnel.
A statement from the cabinet said elections, due to begin in a week, would go ahead, and praised the "restraint" of interior ministry forces against protesters.A statement from the cabinet said elections, due to begin in a week, would go ahead, and praised the "restraint" of interior ministry forces against protesters.
The military council, in a statement read out on state television, said it "regretted" what was happening, AFP news agency reports.The military council, in a statement read out on state television, said it "regretted" what was happening, AFP news agency reports.
In recent weeks, protesters - mostly Islamists and young activists - have been holding demonstrations against a draft constitution that they say would allow the military to retain too much power after a new civilian government is elected.In recent weeks, protesters - mostly Islamists and young activists - have been holding demonstrations against a draft constitution that they say would allow the military to retain too much power after a new civilian government is elected.
They have repeatedly tried to regain a foothold in Tahrir Square - the focal point of the protests against Mr Mubarak - but until this weekend they had always been removed quickly by the police. Earlier this month, the military council produced a draft document setting out principles for a new constitution, under which the military and its budget could be exempted from civilian oversight.
A proposal by the military that presidential elections are not held until late 2012 or early 2013 has further angered the opposition.
Protesters want the presidential vote to take place after parliamentary elections, which begin on 28 November and will be staggered over the next three months.
The latest violence is some of the worst in months between the Egyptian authorities and demonstrators.The latest violence is some of the worst in months between the Egyptian authorities and demonstrators.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to begin on 28 November. In all, the election process will take three months to complete. Are you in Cairo? Did you witness the clashes? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Earlier this month, the military council produced a draft document setting out principles for a new constitution. Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can class="inlineText" href="http://bbcnewsupload.streamuk.com/">upload here.
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This has angered protesters who fear the gains they have made during the uprising could yet slip away as the military tries to retain some grip on power.