Video | Egypt army clears protesters from Tahrir Square

Egypt's army is clearing Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters who have been camped there for 20 days, vowing not to move until reforms are drawn up and implemented.

13 February 2011, 12:00am

1 min read

While the focal point of the uprising that led to President Hosni Mubarak's departure on Friday which drew crowds several hundred thousand strong, by Sunday morning the numbers within the square had dwindled, and traffic was flowing again.

Tensions and unrest plummeted following a statement read out on state TV on Saturday, the army said it had asked the current government to stay on until a new one was formed.

US President Obama has already welcomed the new military leadership's pledge to work towards civilian rule.

The military also reaffirmed the country's commitment to all its international treaties.

Although there were reports of scuffles between soldiers and die-hard protesters in Tahrir Square on Sunday morning, the BBC reports that the operation to clear the area is being conducted unprovocatively.

A hardcore of protesters had wanted to stay until a full timetable of reform was drawn up.

Several hundred remain marooned on a traffic island in the heart of the square, adds our correspondent, but it feels like the tide is slowly coming in on a beautifully-constructed sand castle as they are squeezed out.