The Egyptian capital Cairo was the scene of violent chaos on Friday,
when tens of thousands of anti-government protesters stoned and
confronted police, who fired back with rubber bullets, tear gas and
water cannons. It was a major escalation in what was already the
biggest challenge to authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak's 30
year-rule. They are demanding Mubarak's ouster and venting their rage
at years of government neglect of rampant poverty, unemployment and
rising food prices.