Egyptian protesters defy curfew after Mubarak refuses to resign

Cairo (Egypt), Jan 29(ANI): Full-fledged chaos has been reported at several regions of Egypt, on the fifth straight day of demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

In Cairo, some 1,000 protestors attempted to break into the Interior Ministry headquarters.

According to the BBC, there have been reports of gunfire, and plumes of white tear gas smoke could be seen across the city as the security forces try to disperse the protestors.

Eyewitnesses claim that live rounds were used in clashes in the city of Alexandria.

Authorities in Egypt have declared that a curfew will be imposed in the country from 4 pm today to 8 am Sunday morning, yet enforcing it in the current atmosphere of total chaos seems a largely impossible task.

President Mubarak, facing the biggest challenge to his authority in his 31 years in power, had ordered the army on to the streets of Cairo yesterday as rioting erupted across Egypt.olice had fired rubber bullets and used tear gas and water cannon in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

At least five people were killed in Cairo alone yesterday and 870 injured, several with bullet wounds.

Mohamed ElBaradei, the pro-reform leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, was placed under house arrest after returning to Egypt to join the dissidents. (ANI)