Egypt’s military rulers have apologized for the deaths of three dozen protesters who died in clashes with police in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and in other cities.
“The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces presents its regrets and deep apologies for the deaths of martyrs from among Egypt’s loyal sons during the recent events in Tahrir Square,” the government said in a statement reported by Al-Jazeera.
The violence, which has left more than 35 dead and thousands injured, started on Saturday is the worst since February’s protests that forced former President Hosni Mubarak to step down, leading to the military takeover.
General Mukhtar al-Mouallah on Thursday said, “If we look at those in Tahrir, regardless of their number, they do not represent the Egyptian people, but we must respect their opinion,” according to Al-Arabiya television.
The interim ruling government has faced criticism from rights groups for cracking down on dissent.
In a recent report issued by Amnesty International, the group accuses Egypt of continuing the brutal repression that was a hallmark of Mubarak’s decades-long rule. It accused the Supreme Council of detaining more than 12,000 people, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
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