Protests in Egypt Reach Parliament
BBC reports:
Anti-government protests in the Egyptian capital Cairo have spread to the country's parliament, with access blocked by demonstrators.
Soldiers are guarding the People's Assembly building after a 16th consecutive day of protests.
They took place despite a warning by Vice-President Omar Suleiman that demonstrations had to end.
There are reports of widespread industrial action, and of protests outside Cairo turning violent.
Washington, which has become increasingly critical of Cairo, says the Egyptian government has yet to take the "necessary steps" that its people need to see.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Cairo, says the protesters regard the People's Assembly as illegitimate following general elections late last year which were widely regarded as rigged in favour of President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party, which won a massive majority.
Nearby Tahrir Square remains the focal point of protests calling for an end to President Mubarak's 30-year rule, with thousands of demonstrators present, some camping there overnight.
The Associated Press (AP) news agency reports that the capital also saw protests by state electricity workers and museum workers on Wednesday. However, Egypt's most famous tourist attraction, the Pyramids of Giza, reopened to tourists.
