Cairo – Egyptians Tear Down Israel Embassy’s Security Wall

Cairo – Hundreds of Egyptian protesters have torn down parts of a graffiti-covered security wall that had recently been put up near the entrance of the Israeli Embassy in Cairo.

Egyptian security forces did not intervene as crowds climbed the embassy security wall, pummeled it with hammers and tore away large sections of the barrier.

Protesters marched to the embassy Friday from Cairo’s Tahrir Square, where thousands more demonstrated against the pace of reform under the country’s military rulers.

Since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, calls have grown in Egypt for ending the historic peace treaty with Israel. Anger increased last month after Israeli forces responding to a cross-border attack mistakenly killed five Egyptian police officers.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CAIRO (AP) — Thousands of Egyptians are demonstrating against the pace of reform under the country’s military rulers.

The military took over after President Hosni Mubarak resigned in February following a popular revolution.

In Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the focus of the anti-Mubarak rallies, one target was the head of the military council, Hussein Tantawi. He served as Mubarak’s defense minister.

One banner read, “Egyptians, come out of your homes, Tantawi is Mubarak.”

Protester Khaled Abdel-Hamid said Tantawi’s plan to transfer power to civilian rule is unclear. He and thousands more are also protesting against the trials of civilians in military courts.

It was the first major rally in the square in a month. Smaller crowds demonstrated in other Egyptian cities.