Dozens hurt in Tahrir Square attack

CAIRO, March 9 (UPI) -- Dozens of democracy activists in Cairo's Tahrir Square were wounded in overnight attacks, witnesses said Wednesday.

Opposition activists told CNN at least 44 people were injured by assailants with machetes, knives, Molotov cocktails and horsewhips. They accused "gangs" linked to security forces of the ousted Hosni Mubarak regime.

On Wednesday afternoon, gunshots rang out in the square, CNN said.

The opposition has continued rallies in Tahrir Square, epicenter of the Egyptian revolution, since Mubarak resigned Feb 11. Activists are demanding the ruling military junta end the 30-year state of emergency and free political prisoners.

Alistair Burt, an official of the British Foreign Office, arrived in Cairo Wednesday to meet with new Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, other top officials and opposition leaders.

He said he would call on the government "to work quickly towards free and fair democratic elections" and was eager to meet "with some of those who inspired such a profound change in the country's direction."