Violent Clashes in Cairo

Protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square did not heed the Egyptian military's call to end to demonstrations on Wednesday when massive clashes broke out between hundreds of supporters and thousands of opponents of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The chaos began when rocks were thrown by pro-Mubarak protesters, seen for the first time after eight days of demonstrations by anti-Mubarak demonstrators. Military and police headed to the area to seperate the fighting. Gunfire, gasoline bombs, and punching were also reported. The violent turn was not expected after Mubarak’s announcement Tuesday that he will step down at the end of his term in September, though that did little to quell protesters, who chanted “We will not leave! He will leave!” in reply. President Obama didn’t seem satisfied either, saying an “orderly transition … must begin now.”