Egypt's ruling military council and interim Prime Minister Essam Sharaf said Wednesday that ongoing clashes in Tahrir Square are part of an organized plot to induce chaos.
In the 65th statement posted on its Facebook page, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) said the clashes, which began Tuesday night, are using martyrs' deaths during the revolution to incite sedition between revolutionaries and the security apparatus.
In separate statements, both Sharaf and the SCAF called on the people to resist such attempts and protect Egypt's security.
About 10 security personnel and 55 protesters were injured in the clashes, according to a Health Ministry statement.
In a phone call on Wednesday with Good Morning Egypt, a program aired on state-run TV, Sharaf said the recent developments are a test for revolutionaries.
Sharaf said he had been observing the situation since Tuesday, keeping in contact with Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawy.
The prime minister also said he is waiting for the results of investigations into the incidents and urged revolution youth to unite with the government and police authorities to protect the goals of the revolution.
"We hoped everything would go well since security started to actively return to the street," Sharaf said.
Sharaf said a fund would be created to provide services to families of those killed during the revolution.
"We have a package of projects, and there are doctors who are eager to take part by giving treatment to the victims' families," he said.
Sharaf stressed that police were acting to protect public property and would never adopt violence unless faced with it.
He said he is working on improving police performance and listening to all feedback.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
