Fear runs high as violence erupts in Cairo

SCENES of mayhem and violence in Cairo added to the fear already running high in the capital of 18 million people after a weekend of rampant looting and lawlessness and the escape of thousands of prisoners from jails in the chaos.

A light army presence that has surrounded Tahrir Square fired shots in the air throughout the day but did appear to otherwise intervene in the fierce clashes and no uniformed police were seen.

Most of the troops took shelter behind or inside the armoured vehicles and tanks stationed at the entrances to the square.