Hundreds of troops fired at Occupy Cabinet protesters in Tahrir Square early Monday, killing at least three and bringing the four-day death toll to at least 14. If you wanted a sign of just how bad the situation is, admitting to the violence is actually a step forward for this ruling military council. It was just a couple of days ago the prime minister publicly denied violence was happening despite the evidence of the contrary (a woman stripped and dragged through the streets, reports of troops throwing stones from the roof of buildings, photos and videos of people being beaten and shot at). The military council is blaming it on the alleged destruction of the state. "There is a methodical and prepared plot to topple the state, but Egypt will not fall," said Maj. Gen. Adel Emara, a member of Egypt's ruling military council, in an AP report--a report which also notes that Emara said the armed and security force could not stand by while protesters tried to destroy state property. "The media is helping sabotage the state. This is certain," Emara added.

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Alexander Abad-Santos