Millions took to the streets of Egypt on Sunday, the anniversary of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi's inauguration and as the second day of mass protests against Morsi continues, with demands that he step down by 5pm Tuesday, protesters also stormed the national headquarters of the ruling party, the Muslim Brotherhood. Protesters ransacked the building and set parts of it on fire.
A military source said as many as 14 million people in this nation of 84 million took part in Sunday's demonstrations in sweltering heat. There was no independent way to verify that estimate, which seemed implausibly high, but the armed forces used helicopters to monitor the crowds.Reports coming out of Egypt also say that four ministers have resigned and according to the al-Watan website, the ministers of tourism, environment, communication and legal affairs had acted "in solidarity with the people's demand to overthrow the regime".
Militants hurling petrol bombs and rocks and firing shotguns attacked the Brotherhood's national headquarters in a Cairo suburb, sending flames billowing from the main entrance. There was no sign of police protection or fire fighters.
The liberal opposition National Salvation Front coalition declared victory in what it styled "Revolutionary Communique No. 1" saying the masses had "confirmed the downfall of the regime of Mohamed Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood".
The interior ministry told Al Jazeera the number of protesters ranged from 14 million to 17 million, and organizers of the protests say if Morsi does not step down they will continue a campaign of civil disobedience.
The New York Times reports that the Health Ministry said on Monday that 16 people had died in the protests, including eight in the battle outside the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, most of them from gunshot wounds.