Protesters, Police Clash For Fourth Day In Cairo

A protester splashes milk at the face of a fellow demonstrator to reduce the effects of tear gas fired by security forces during clashes near the Interior Ministry in Cairo on February 3.

Protesters and police fought pitched battles on February 5 in Cairo as deadly clashes raged into a fourth day.

Hundreds of riot police blocked roads leading to the Interior Ministry headquarters in the center of Cairo, erecting a concrete-block wall and facing down demonstrators who threw rocks and petrol bombs.

The fighting was sparked by the perceived failure of Egypt's military rulers and police to prevent violence that left 74 people dead after a soccer match on February 1 in the northern city of Port Said.

At least 12 more people have been killed in Cairo and Suez since then, making the past week one of Egypt's bloodiest since an uprising swept Hosni Mubarak from power a year ago and left the military in charge.

Compiled from agency reports