Curfew takes effect amid mass anti-government protests in Egypt

[News_Editor]

Curfew takes effect amid mass anti-government protests in Egypt

2011-01-28 23:09:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- A curfew went into effect in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Friday evening as massive anti-government protests continued nationwide.

Tens of thousands of people began protesting earlier on Friday to demand the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who CNN said will address the nation soon. Riots broke out in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez and the army later arrived in Cairo.

Egyptian state television reported that the army had ordered a curfew from 6 p.m. local time on Friday until 7 a.m. local time on Saturday in an effort to contain the protests. Protests continued despite the curfew.

"Events unfolding in Egypt are of deep concern," said U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley. "Fundamental rights must be respected, violence avoided and open communications allowed."

Crowley said reform is vital to Egypt's long-term well-being. "The Egyptian government should view its people as a partner and not as a threat," he added.

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