EGYPTIAN security forces clashed for a fourth straight day with protesters demanding an end to military rule, as the death toll rose to 12, despite strong international criticism of the violence.

Egyptians in nine provinces have started voting in the second round of the first parliamentary elections since a popular uprising ousted president Hosni Mubarak in February.

Egypt’s military rulers claimed victory today after a surprisingly heavy turnout for the first elections since Hosni Mubarak’s removal.

EGYPT’s army ruler warned yesterday he would not tolerate any pressure ahead of new protests demanding that he step down on the eve of the country’s first elections since the January revolution.

EGYPT’S military rulers apologised for the deaths of demonstrators at the hands of police, while insisting elections will go ahead next week as planned.

An ‘invisible’ police force and doubts about the military rulers’ plans has led to fears of violent elections next week, writes Mike Giglio

The revolution against Mubarak did not have a figurehead; that was said to be key to its success. However, this strength has become a weakness in Egypt’s transition to democracy, writes Omar Ashour

SECURITY forces fired tear gas and clashed with several thousand protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in the third straight day of violence that has killed at least 33 people and has turned into the most sustained challenge yet to the rule of Egypt’s military.

Police have clashed again with thousands of protesters in Cairo on the third straight day of violence that has left more than 20 people dead.

Fear that Egypt’s ruling generals are working to perpetuate their hold on power is causing a political furore, threatening a “second revolution” and sending relations between the generals and activists to new lows less than four weeks before a key election.

The trial of Egypt’s ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, accused of complicity in the killing of more than 800 protesters this year, has been adjourned until December 28.

THE trial of Egypt’s ousted leader Hosni Mubarak on charges of complicity in the killing of more than 800 protesters this year was adjourned yesterday until December 28.

EGYPT’S deputy prime minister has resigned over clashes that killed 25 people, mainly Coptic Christians, amid mounting anger at the ruling military and calls for the premier to quit.

Egypt’s ruling military and protesters seeking greater and faster change are moving into an outright collision, as the generals try to strip away public support for the movement while cosying up to the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood.

Groups of men armed with knives and sticks attacked protesters trying to march to the headquarters of Egypt's military rulers today, setting off fierce street clashes.

Egypt’s prime minister promised to fight corruption as a new Cabinet was sworn in under pressure from protesters demanding faster change and the removal of those tied to the ousted regime of president Hosni Mubarak.

Two days of street battles between security forces and protesters in Cairo show just how volatile Egypt remains nearly five months after the popular uprising that ousted authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak.

More than 1,000 people were reported injured as Egyptian security forces clashed for a second day in Cairo with hundreds of youths.

ACTIVISTS and bloggers are pressing Egypt’s military rulers to investigate accusations of serious abuses against protesters, including claims that soldiers subjected female detainees to so-called “virginity tests”.

THE wife of ousted president Hosni Mubarak was released after handing over her assets to the Egyptian state, as her husband pledged to do the same in a bid to secure an amnesty.

Soldiers beat hundreds of protesters with clubs and fired heavy volleys of gunfire into the air in a pre-dawn raid today to disperse an overnight demonstration in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square, in the latest sign of tension between Egypt’s ruling military and protesters.

Egyptian protesters were jubilant today over their success in ousting President Hosni Mubarak, but many vowed to stay camped in a central Cairo square until they hear “clear assurances” that the military will meet their demands for democracy.