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May 4, 2012
Egyptian troops, protesters clash in Cairo

CAIRO (AP) -- Egyptian troops blasted protesters with water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition, trying to prevent them from marching on the Defense Ministry Friday in clashes that left one soldier dead and scores of people injured just three weeks ahead of presidential elections.

The fierce street battles raised fears of a new cycle of violence surrounding the upcoming vote to replace Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted more than a year ago. For the first time in Egypt's chaotic transition, hard-line Islamists, rather than secular forces, were at the forefront of the confrontation with the military rulers who have been accused of trying to cling to power.

The military council imposed an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew on the area surrounding the Defense Ministry, which has emerged as a flashpoint for the protesters' anger after nine people were killed on Wednesday in clashes between unidentified assailants and protesters who mainly comprised supporters of a disqualified Islamist presidential candidate.

(23 images)




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Egyptian protests turn into clashes with army at the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, May 4, 2012. Dozens were injured as protesters and troops clashed. ZUMA24.com / Cliff Cheney
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Armored Egyptian military vehicles block the road outside of the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. Egyptian armed forces and protesters clashed in Cairo on Friday, with troops firing water cannons and tear gas at demonstrators who threw stones as they tried to march on the Defense Ministry, a flashpoint for a new cycle of violence only weeks ahead of presidential elections. AP / Ahmed Hammad
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Armored Egyptian military vehicles block the road outside of the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Hammad
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Egyptians protest during the 'Final Friday' march against Military Rule in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday, May 4, 2012. The 'Final Friday' protests were called after a week of street battles near the Ministry of Defense where protesters are staging a sit-in. ZUMA24.com / Cliff Cheney
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Protesters take shelter during brick throwing clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Hamada Elrasam
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Protesters use a fire extinguisher during brick throwing clashes outside of the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Hamada Elrasam
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Protesters erect scrap metal shields during clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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Protesters light a bonfire during clashes outside of the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Mohammed Abu Zaid
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Protesters throw stones during clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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Egyptian soldiers raise their batons at a protester during clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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A protester, right, waves a stick at Egyptian soldiers during clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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Egyptian security forces, unseen, fire a water cannon at protesters during clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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Egyptian security forces, unseen, fire a water cannon at protesters during clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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Egyptian protesters surround an Egyptian security vehicle outside of the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Hammad
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An injured protester is evacuated in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Mohammed Abu Zaid
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An injured protester is treated in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Mohammed Abu Zaid
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An injured protester is treated in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Mohammed Abu Zaid
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An injured protester is evacuated by motorbike outside of the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Mohammed Abu Zaid
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An injured protester is assisted at the site of clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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An injured protester is evacuated by motorbike from the site of clashes outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Ahmed Gomaa
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Egyptian protesters attend the Friday prayer at a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Khalil Hamra
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Egyptians chant slogans as they protest in Tahrir square in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. Thousands rallied in Egypt against the country's ruling military council on Friday, two days after a flare-up of street violence left at least nine dead and fueled a wave of Islamist-led opposition to the generals ahead of presidential elections. AP / Khalil Hamra
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An Egyptian protester holds a national flag as he chants slogans at a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo Egypt, Friday, May 4, 2012. AP / Amr Nabil
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