Concern Grows Over Egypt Violence

Soldiers beat-up protesters near Cairo's Tahrir Square on December 16.

There is growing international concern at the fresh security crackdown on protesters in Egypt.

At least 10 people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in three days of clashes between security forces and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Video footage from Tahrir Square has shown troops in riot gear beating protesters with long sticks even after they had fallen to the ground.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "deeply concerned" about the violence and called on authorities to hold accountable those violating the rights of demonstrators.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned what he called the excessive use of force being used against protesters.

The unrest highlights the tensions in Egypt 10 months after a popular revolt toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

The protesters are demanding the military rulers who replaced Mubarak step down immediately.

The violence has overshadowed a staggered parliamentary election that is set to give Islamists the biggest bloc.

compiled from agency reports