LOC22:50
19:50 GMT
CAIRO, April 9 (KUNA) -- The ruling Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces rejected Saturday evening as groundless the reports that military troops used live ammunition to disperse protesters at Al-Tahrir Square late last night.
"The servicemen present at the site at that time were unarmed," the council members Maj.-Gen. Adel Emara and Maj.-Gen. Ismail Otman affirmed in a joint press conference here.
"They armed forces have only arrested 42 demonstrators who violated the curfew which starts at 2:00 am. until 5:00 am.," the two top-ranking officers said.
"Investigations, carried out by the military prosecution, revealed that the law-violators belong to a well-known politician," they disclosed without naming the man in question.
They also refuted reports that Prime Minister Dr. Esam Sharaf resigned his office, saying that the Prime Minister met the military council earlier today to discuss a full range of outstanding domestic issues.
Commenting on recent press reports that former president Hosni Mubarak is very ill and seeks overseas medication, they said the military council did not bar Mubarak from travel.
"The council will allow his travel to Germany for only one time," they added. (end) bna.gb KUNA 092250 Apr 11NNNN