Two Men Set Themselves On Fire In Egypt

Restaurant owner Abdouh Abdel Moneim lies on the ground after he set himself on fire near the parliament in Cairo on January 17.

Egyptian officials say two men -- one in Cairo and another one in Alexandria -- set themselves on fire today, apparently following the example of a Tunisian whose self-immolation sparked the protests that toppled the president.

The incidents follow a similar one in Cairo on January 17 where a man set himself on fire to protest poor living conditions.

Similar cases were reported in Algeria and Mauritania.

Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled the country last week following a wave of unprecedented street protests.

The protests were sparked by the death of a 26-year-old man who had set himself on fire to protest the lack of employment.

compiled from agency reports