Mubarak Calls Out Army as Protesters Rampage

CAIRO (AFP) - Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called out the army and declared a curfew Friday as tens of thousands of protesters rampaged through the streets, setting buildings ablaze as they demanded his ouster.

People remained on the streets in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria in defiance of the curfew that kicked in at 6 pm local time (1600 GMT) and will run until 7 am (0500 GMT).

Two hours after the curfew went into effect, people were still on the streets of Cairo and Alexandria, with protesters urging the army to join them.

Medics at one hospital said at least five persons had been killed and hundreds injured Friday in Cairo protests. It was not immediately clear if more deaths had been reported at other hospitals.

Al Jazeera said at least five protesters had been killed during the day, all in the canal city of Suez.

Mubarak was reported to be set to address the nation Friday night, although he had not appeared four hours after the original broadcast time.

The 82-year-old president, said to be in poor health, has not been seen publicly since the unrest erupted.

Meanwhile, crowds attempted to storm key government buildings in Cairo, including the ministries of information and foreign affairs.

Part of the Cairo headquarters of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) was set on fire and looted and explosions and gunfire were heard in the capital, Al Jazeera reported.

Firefighting efforts were underway amid fears the fire at the NDP building would spread to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, which has a vast collection of priceless ancient Egyptian artifacts.

Al Jazeera said protesters were forming a human shield to prevent looting at the museum.

Al Arabiya television said protesters were storming the state television and radio building. Al Jazeera said tanks were on their way to protect the site, and were greeted by cheers from people on the Cairo streets.

There also were reports the foreign ministry building had been set on fire and some protesters claimed live rounds had been fired at them, Al Jazeera reported.

The broadcaster also reported that influential business leaders and wealthy citizens had fled the country on a private jet, though it did not name any of them.

Overseas, there was caution about visiting Egypt during the protests and curfew. In Washington, the US State Department Friday urged Americans to "defer non-essential travel" to the country.

At the same time, airlines began suspending their service. Egypt Air, the nation's flag carrier, on Friday suspended all flights into Cairo, Al Jazeera reported.

Delta Airlines said it would be suspending Cairo service after Saturday, CNN reported. And in London, British Airways said it would delay its Friday evening London-Cairo flight until Saturday morning to avoid landing during curfew.

In Cairo, protesters poured out of mosques after Friday prayers and ran rampant through the streets, throwing stones and torching two police stations as police chased them with batons, firing tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets.

"Today is different, all Egyptians are together, the rich and the poor, to get Mubarak out," shouted one protester in downtown Cairo, his face covered with a scarf against the billowing tear gas.

"Where is the president!" screamed another man. "We need freedom and justice!"

Nearby, youths tended to comrades temporarily crippled by tear gas canisters marked "Made in USA," while others poured gas into soft drink bottles to make Molotov cocktails.

In Suez, protesters overran a police station, seized weapons and set fire to security force vehicles in fierce clashes.

The nationwide demonstrations, inspired by the "Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia, have swelled into the largest uprising in three decades, sending shockwaves across the region.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday President Barack Obama has been briefed on the protests in Egypt but has not spoken with Mubarak.

He urged restraint by both sides saying “this is not a situation that should be addressed with violence.”

Gibbs also said the United States would review its policy of providing huge amounts of military and other aid to Egypt “based on events now and in the coming days."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the Egyptian government to lift its communications blackout that has seen most cell phone and internet services blocked.

Also in Washington, Gen. James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a Pentagon briefing Friday that Egyptian military commander Lieutenant General Sami Hafez Enan, the Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, would cut short his Washington visit to return to Egypt.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday that "reform" was needed in Egypt. "I mean we support reform and progress in the greater strengthening of their democracy and civil rights and the rule of law,” he said. “Clearly there are grievances that people have and they need to be met and matched.”

Egypt is one of Washington's