CAIRO (Reuters) – A cavalry charge in downtown Cairo, when men wielding whips and iron bars burst into Tahrir Square on camels and horseback to lash out at unarmed demonstrators, shocked millions watching on live television around the world.

For many Egyptians, though, it was only another chilling reminder of an ugly brutality they have faced for 30 years under President Hosni Mubarak, whenever ordinary folk have tried to speak up for themselves against the interests of the powerful.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak opened fire on protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Thursday, killing at least five, in a fresh spike in violence over an unprecedented challenge to his 30-year-old rule.

In the overnight fighting, machine-gun fire echoed for more than an hour across the central square where protesters — unsatisfied by Mubarak’s pledge to step down in September — have vowed to stay until the 82-year-old president quits.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak opened fire on protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Thursday, killing at least five, in a fresh spike in violence over an unprecedented challenge to his 30-year-old rule.

In the overnight fighting, machine-gun fire echoed for more than an hour across the central square where protesters — unsatisfied by Mubarak’s pledge to step down in September — have vowed to stay until the 82-year-old president quits.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak opened fire on Thursday on protesters demanding he quit, wounding seven, a witness said, after what many saw as an attempted government-backed crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.

Al Arabiya television quoted a doctor at the scene as saying one protester was killed as fresh fighting erupted in Cairo’s Tahrir Square during the night. Two more protesters were injured by stones, the witness said.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Backers of President Hosni Mubarak skirmished into the night on Thursday with protesters demanding he quit, after what many saw as an attempted government-backed crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.

Mubarak promised on Tuesday to surrender power in September to try to defuse an unprecedented challenge to his 30-year-rule, angering protesters who want him to quit immediately and prompting the United States to say change “must begin now”.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Backers of President Hosni Mubarak skirmished into the night on Thursday with protesters demanding he quit, after what many saw as an attempted government-backed crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.

Mubarak promised on Tuesday to surrender power in September to try to defuse an unprecedented challenge to his 30-year-rule, angering protesters who want him to quit immediately and prompting the United States to say change “must begin now.”

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Tuesday he would surrender power in September, angering protesters who want an immediate end to his 30-year-rule.

The United States called for the transition of power to begin straight away, stopping short of endorsing Mubarak’s plan to stay in office for another six months.

CAIRO (Reuters) – President Hosni Mubarak declared on Tuesday he would surrender power in September, offering a mixture of concessions and defiance to Egyptians who marched a million strong to demand his 30-year-rule end immediately.

Exhilarated by having wrought once unimaginable change on the most populous Arab state in just a week of protests, many on the streets renewed their calls for the 82-year-old leader to quit now and make way for a transitional unity government.

CAIRO (Reuters) – President Hosni Mubarak declared on Tuesday he would surrender power in September, offering a mixture of concessions and defiance to Egyptians who marched a million strong to demand his 30-year-rule end immediately.

Exhilarated by having wrought once unimaginable change on the most populous Arab state in just a week of protests, many on the streets renewed their calls for the 82-year-old leader to quit now and make way for a transitional unity government.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Tuesday he would step down in a few months once a successor is elected, a move that responds to massive street protests but which may not satisfy many who want him out now.

A million people, maybe more, rallied across the country earlier in the day, clamouring for an end to the 30-year-rule of the former general who has towered over Middle East politics.