Today in Egypt: Mass Protest

Things continue to intensify in Egypt, where tens of thousands of people are massed on Tahrir Square—and more are streaming in. Activists are today calling for a mass demonstration, which they hope will ratchet up the pressure on the military and accelerate the transition of power. The AP reports that at least 29 people have been killed in four days of clashes, and a BBC correspondent calls the scene "noisy and chaotic."

Security forces have steered clear of the square since yesterday following a number of failed attempts to clear the area. But violence erupted in the streets around it, as protesters hurled stones at riot police, who responded with tear gas and birdshot. On the square, crowds today raised a massive Egyptian flag and chanted slogans demanding the generals immediately step down and be replaced by a presidential civilian council; the protesters believe the military council is more interested in finding a way to retain its position than transition to democracy. (More Egypt stories.)