Egypt military apologises for protest deaths

Egypt`s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces apologised on Thursday for the deaths of demonstrators during six straight days of anti-military rallies, in a statement on their Facebook page.

"The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces presents its regrets and deep apologies for the deaths of martyrs from among Egypt`s loyal sons during the recent events in Tahrir Square," it said.

The central Cairo plaza was the epicentre of the 18 days of protests that ousted veteran president Hosni Mubarak in February and has become an icon of the Arab Spring.

"The council also offers its condolences to the families of the martyrs across Egypt."

The statement comes after a speech by SCAF head Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi which was aimed at placating protesters in the square but was heavily criticised for not making mention of the deaths at the hands of police.

The health ministry has put the death toll at 35 countrywide since clashes first erupted on Saturday.

In its Facebook statement, the SCAF vowed to investigate and prosecute all those behind the deaths.

It also pledged to offer assistance to the families of the dead and injured, and to set up a military field hospital in Tahrir Square.

Source: ANTARA