Cairo: As thousands of protesters took part in Friday prayers in Cairo's Tahrir Square, some of those wounded in the previous day's violence were being treated at a makeshift field hospital nearby.
Medics set up a first-aid clinic in a mosque bringing with them much needed supplies including bandages and medicine.
Although many of the patients suffered only minor cuts and bruises some were being treated for gunshot wounds.
"We have firearms injuries. 6mm and 9mm bullets were used. The people here still have bullets in their bodies," said Doctor Jamal Moheb.
The atmosphere was calm after two days of battles between pro- and anti-government crowds battling with rains of stones broken out of the street and shields fashioned out of sheet metal from a construction site.
Gangs backing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak attacked journalists and human rights activists across Cairo on Thursday, while others were detained by soldiers.
On Friday morning, human chains of protesters performed secondary searches inside Tahrir Square in a bid to prevent those bringing in weapons.
Many of those arriving brought fresh bread, water, fruit and other supplies as long lines formed at tables of people handing out tea and bread.
Earlier, Egyptian Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi and senior army officials visited the square and soldiers were checking IDs and performing body searches at its entrances, a sign that Egypt's most powerful institution was sanctioning the demonstration.
The Obama administration has said it was in talks with top Egyptian officials about the possibility of Mubarak immediately resigning, and an interim government forming before free and fair elections this year.
Comments
0 comment