시위 운동가들이 국가 안정과 경제 구출, 민주주의 도입에 실패한 무능력한 군사령관들을 사퇴시키기 위한 “2차 혁명”을 위해 거리로 나서면서 일어난 폭력 사태로 최소 24명이 사망했으며 1,750명이 부상을 입었다고 이집트 건강부장관이 밝혔다.
이날 하루 종일 젊은 시위 참가자들은 군지도부가 민간 정부에 권력을 이양할 것을 요구하며 전투 경찰과 충돌을 벌였다. 시위가 일어난 타히르 광장은 독재자 호스니 무바락을 사퇴시긴 운동의 근원지였다.
시위가 고조되면서 에스람 샤라프 총리가 의회에 사직서를 제출하자 시위대는 “신은 위대하다!”고 외치며 환호했으나 곧 다시 “이집트 국민은 육군 원수를 끌어내리려 한다”는 구호를 합창하기 시작했다.
시위 현장에 있던 운동가 라미 샤트는 “우리는 이집트를 대표하며 완전한 책임을 질 나라를 구제해줄 정부가 세워지기 전까지 광장을 떠나지 않을 것”이라 전했다.
(영어 기사 원문)
CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt's civilian Cabinet offered to resign Monday after three days of violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tahrir Square, but the action failed to satisfy protesters deeply frustrated with the new military rulers.
The Health Ministry said at least 24 people have been killed and 1,750 wounded in the latest violence as activists sought to fill the streets for a "second revolution" to force out the generals who have failed to stabilize the country, salvage the economy or bring democracy.
Throughout the day, young protesters demanding the military hand over power to a civilian government fought with black-clad police, hurling stones and firebombs and throwing back the tear gas canisters being fired by police into the square, which was the epicenter of the movement that ousted authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak.
The clashes have deepened the disarray among Egypt's political ranks, with the powerful Muslim Brotherhood balking at joining in the demonstrations, fearing that turmoil will disrupt elections next week that the Islamists expect to dominate.
Hours later, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf submitted its resignation to the council, a move that was widely expected given the government's perceived inefficiency and its almost complete subordination to the generals.
Protesters cheered and shouted "God is great!" when the news arrived of the Cabinet resignation offer, but they almost immediately resumed their chant of "The people want to topple the field marshal" - a reference to military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.
"We are not clearing the square until there is a national salvation government that is representative and has full responsibility," said activist Rami Shaat, who was at the site.
서진영 기자 minkystar@hanmail.net
