Death toll in Egypt protests reaches five as riots persist

Demonstrations against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak resumed in many cities throughout Egypt on Wednesday. But though thousands participated in the protests, they were significantly smaller than Tuesday's demonstrations, haaretz.com reports.

The exception was in Suez, where developments were much more dramatic: protesters set government offices ablaze and targeted a building belonging to the ruling party. The media reported at least 50 injured in clashes with security forces and three people lost their lives in the clashes in Suez.

The number of deaths in all the demonstrations yesterday was five. The other two occurred in Cairo last night.

The protesters demanded that Mubarak not run in the next presidential election; that his son Gamal not present himself as a candidate; that parliament be disbanded, because they claim it was not legally elected; and that an emergency caretaker government be appointed.