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Monday, January 28, 2008

Egypt cracks down on Gaza protest

Egyptian police have rounded up hundreds of members of the Muslim Brotherhood group accused of holding illegal protests against Israel.

Riot and plainclothes police broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the Arab League headquarters in central Cairo with batons and tear gas.

The protest was called to press the Egyptian government to do more to help people in the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The arrests come amid a crackdown on the Brotherhood ahead of council polls.

Security forces chased Brotherhood members through the streets of central Cairo as they gathered in Tahrir Square, but demonstrators were able to regroup away from the planned protest venue.

Protesters shouted: "Gaza residents, we are with you night and day" and "Keep strong Haniya, don't let go of your gun" in reference to the ousted Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the militant Hamas movement that controls Gaza.

Security officials, quoted by Associated Press news agency, said 460 members, including leading figures, had been rounded up to prevent the demonstration.

Security sources say police had earlier in the week arrested more than 50 Brotherhood members in raids in Cairo, Alexandria and parts of the Nile Delta.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7205403.stm

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