Difficult Transition Ahead for Egypt, U.S. Says
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Recurring violence surrounding protests in Egypt is indicative of a country undergoing a difficult political transition, the U.S. State Department said.
Hundreds of people were killed in a revolution early this year that brought down the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak after three decades in power. The military, widely respected during the revolution, took over power and has promised to hold democratic elections later this year.
At least 35 people were arrested in renewed clashes in Cairo's central Liberation Square early this week. Riot police used tear gas on demonstrators expressing frustration with political developments in the country.
Mark Toner, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, told reporters during his regular press briefing Cairo must exercise restraint but stressed political transitions are rarely smooth.
"It just underscores the fact that this is a very difficult period for Egypt, it's a period of transition, and we remain committed to assisting the people of Egypt as they make their way through this period of democratic transition," he said.
Crowds reportedly stormed the building housing the Egyptian Interior Ministry, al-Masry al-Youm, an Egyptian newspaper, noted Wednesday.
Several former regime officials, including the country's former interior minister, are under investigation for ordering their security forces to fire on unarmed civilian demonstrators at the height of the revolution.