Protesters welcome army, sing "Long live Egypt"

Reuters, by Dina Zayed, CAIRO | Fri Jan 28, 2011

(Reuters) - Crowds sang the national anthem and shouted "Long live Egypt" in Cairo on Friday, ignoring a night curfew and even embracing the police they were fighting earlier in the day.

After news of the curfew was passed from protester to protester, just minutes before it came into force, some stopped throwing stones at state security officers and asked them to join them in protests through the night.

Protesters and police embraced, many nodded in agreement or said they would join demonstrators. One police officer raised his fingers in a "V for a victory" sign. Others shouted words of encouragement and apologies at each other.

"You must join us," one demonstrator shouted at a security officer. "We need you and we are in this together, my brother."

The officer nodded his head, saying: "Of course I will."

President Hosni Mubarak ordered troops to back up police as they struggled to control crowds, following a day of unrest never before seen during his 30 year-rule.

Elsewhere in downtown Cairo, thousands cheered at the news of the intervention of the army, which is seen as neutral, unlike the police who are regularly deployed to stifle dissent.

Dozens of people stepped out onto their balconies and shouted down to the crowds to tell them the news. The crowds clapped and whistled.

Protesters sang the anthem and shouted "Long live Egypt," as the army vehicles moved onto the streets.

Police officers were let into one of the few shops which stayed open during the curfew to rest and call their families. They huddled around a television screen, flipping from one news channel to the other and shaking their heads in astonishment.

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