UN condemns Egypt protest deaths

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay has condemned the "clearly excessive use of force" by Egypt's security forces during clashes with protesters.

Ms Pillay called for an independent inquiry into the death of at least 30 people since the weekend.

Critics of Egypt's ruling military council are still occupying Cairo's Tahrir Square despite its pledge of a speedier handover to civilian rule.

Street battles are continuing for a fifth day in the capital.

"I urge the Egyptian authorities to end the clearly excessive use of force against protesters in Tahrir square and elsewhere in the country, including the apparent improper use of tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition," Ms Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.

"Some of the images coming out of Tahrir, including the brutal beating of already subdued protesters, are deeply shocking," she added.

BBC