The death toll in three days of clashes in Cairo and other Egyptian cities between police and protesters against army rule rose to 33 today and threatened to disrupt the first free parliamentary elections in decades.
The military generals were feted as champions of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February, but the violence since Saturday when police moved to break up a sit-in Cairo's Tahrir Square has underlined growing hostility to their continued control.
"I've seen the police beat women my mother's age. I want military rule to end," said 21-year-old Mohamed Gamal. "I will just go home in the evening to change my clothes and return."
After dawn today, police attacked a makeshift hospital but were driven back by protesters who smashed pavements and hurled the chunks of concrete at them, witnesses said.
"Don't go out there, you'll end up martyrs like the others," protesters told people emerging from Tahrir's subway station into the square, where around 4,000 had gathered by midday.
The United States tonight urged Egypt to go ahead with elections despite an upsurge in violence and urged restraint on all sides.
White House spokesman Jay Carney called for restraint on all sides and added, "The United States continues to believe that these tragic events should not stand in the way of elections."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern today over the violence and called on authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful protest.
Mr Ban "is deeply concerned about the violence in Egypt during the last few days, particularly in Cairo," said a statement issued by his spokesman Martin Nesirky.
"He deplores the loss of life and the many injuries," the statement added.
Mr Nesirky said Mr Ban called on Egypt's transitional authorities to guarantee the protection of human rights and civil liberties for all Egyptians, including the right to peaceful protest.
"He urges restraint and calm by all parties to enable a peaceful and inclusive electoral process as part of Egypt's transition to democracy and the early establishment of civilian rule."
Sectarian clashes, an exodus of tourists and labour unrest since Mubarak's overthrow have throttled the economy and left many ordinary Egyptians yearning for stability.
The army insists the violence will not delay the election, due in just over a week, but it could undermine its legitimacy.
State media said 22 people had died and hundreds had been wounded in clashes since Friday over a demonstration begun by Islamists but since dominated by the young activists who brought down Mubarak.
Some in Egypt, including the Islamists who expect a strong showing at the polls, say the fragile state of security is part of an army tactic to stay in power.
Finland's foreign minister, visiting Tahrir Square today, said images and reports of the violence in Cairo were "indefensible".
"Is this a provocation to try and stop the democratic process and the elections? It’s very important that the elections begin next week," he said.
The army has denied it wants to stay in charge and insists it can ensure security during the vote.
Egyptians elect a new parliament in a staggered vote that starts on November 28th, but presidential powers remain with the army until a presidential poll, which may not happen until late 2012 or early 2013. Protesters want a much swifter transition.
Security forces burned down banners and Internet clips, which could not be independently checked, showed police beating protesters with sticks, pulling them by the hair and, in one case, dumping what appeared to be a corpse on piles of rubbish.
"Unfortunately the interior ministry still deals with protests with the same security mentality as during Mubarak's administration," said military analyst Safwat Zayaat.
Residents reacted angrily when police fired tear gas into a crowd gathered below a burning building 200 metres from Tahrir Square, hindering the rescue of trapped residents.
"There is clearly no going back as you can see this violence cannot be swept under the table," said protester Essam Gouda.
Tahrir Square was the rallying point for protesters in Cairo when an 18-day uprising toppled Mubarak and has become the theatre of choice for regular protests against the army rulers.
"We are all insisting on having the election on time - the government, parties and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces," cabinet spokesman Mohamed Hegazy said.
Demonstrators brandished spent shotgun cartridges and bullet casings, although police denied using live rounds during the street battles for control of Tahrir and surrounding streets. The demonstration that began on Friday was initially led by Islamists, angry at a bid by the army-backed cabinet to lay down principles for a new constitution that would have kept the army beyond the control of a future civilian government.
But since then, the protest has largely been driven by the same youthful activists who galvanised Egyptians to bring down Mubarak, putting national pride before religion.
One of those groups, April 6th youth movement, told Egypt's state news agency it would stay in Tahrir and continue sit-ins in other cities until its demands were met, including a call for a presidential vote no later than April.
Other demands include replacing the current cabinet with a national salvation government and an immediate investigation into the clashes in Tahrir and trial of those implicated in it.
Liberal groups are dismayed by the military trials of thousands of civilians and the army's failure to scrap a hated emergency law. Islamists eyeing a strong showing in the next parliament suspect the army wants to curtail their influence.
Analysts say Islamists could win 40 per cent of parliamentary seats, with a big portion going to the Muslim Brotherhood, the most organised Islamist group.
Reuters