Protests erupt throughout Egypt

CAIRO, July 1 (UPI) -- Protesters turned out across Egypt calling for the resignation of the interior minister and faster trials for former regime officials, witnesses said Friday.

Demonstrators occupied Cairo's central Liberation Square earlier this week and dozens of people were arrested after storming government buildings in the capital.

Witnesses told Egyptian daily newspaper al-Masry al-Youm that as many as 2,000 people showed up in Alexandria calling for the prosecution of policemen accused of killing civilian demonstrators during the revolution early this year. Protesters were also calling on Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawy to step down.

Hosni Mubarak and former members of his regime are under investigation for allegedly ordering attacks on demonstrators during the revolution that ended his presidency.

Former Interior Ministry Habib al-Adly is accused of ordering snipers positioned at key locations in Cairo. His defense team said he was issuing orders based on false information from his deputies.

International observers expressed concern the recent demonstrations in Egypt were a sign the situation there was unraveling. Washington attributed the unrest to growing pains, however.

Egyptian military authorities promised to hold parliamentary and presidential elections later this year.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/07/01/Protests-erupt-throughout-Egypt/UPI-10881309541284/.