Middle East News

Egyptian prime minister apologises for violence (Extra)

Feb 3, 2011, 10:19 GMT

Cairo - Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq apologized Thursday for past 24-hours' violence in Cairo, and pledged that those behind the clashes will be punished.

'There is no excuse to attack peaceful protesters, and I therefore am apologising,' he told Egyptian-owned broadcaster al Hayat.

It was the second time Shafiq has apologized this week, having earlier told the country's youth he was sorry that the government did not listen to their calls for change sooner.

However, the BBC reported that other government officials continued to deny any state involvement in attacks Wednesday and overnight on reformist protesters, who for 10 days have been peacefully demanding greater democracy and that President Hosny Mubarak step down.

While Egyptian state television said the government was entering into talks with anti-Mubarak protesters, there were also reports that the opposition was refusing to negotiate until Mubarak resigned.

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