Photos: Threat of martial law looms as Egyptian protests turn violent

December 8, 2012

Egyptian army soldiers stand guard in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Soldiers stand guard on top a tank in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Protesters cahnt slogans during a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. Arabic on the banner, background, reads, "the people want to end the regime." (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Egyptian military tanks stand guard in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition has called for more protests on Sunday after the president made concessions overnight that fell short of their demands to rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

A protester jumps as Egyptian army soldiers stand guard in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian protesters scuffle with army soldiers near the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition has called for more protests on Sunday after the president made concessions overnight that fell short of their demands to rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. Arabic on the banner, background, reads, "the people want to end the regime."(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Egyptian protesters push army soldiers standing guard in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Protesters make a bonfire in front of the presidential palace, background, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Pro-Mursi supporters hold banners reading "I support the President's decisions", during a march in Cairo December 9, 2012. A concession offered by President Mohamed Mursi failed to placate opponents who accused him on Sunday of plunging Egypt deeper into crisis by refusing to postpone a vote on a constitution shaped by Islamists. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

Egyptian army soldiers stand guard near the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian army soldiers stand on top of a tank as opposition supporters and protesters wave national flags outside the presidential palace on December 9, 2012 in Cairo. Egypt's main opposition parties were to meet to decide whether to keep up street protests against President Mohamed Morsi after the Islamist leader made a key concession in the crisis dividing the nation. PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images

An anti-Mursi protester chants slogans on a newly built barrier in front of soldiers guarding outside the Egyptian presidential palace in Cairo December 9, 2012. A concession offered by President Mohamed Mursi failed to placate opponents who accused him on Sunday of plunging Egypt deeper into crisis by refusing to postpone a vote on a constitution shaped by Islamists. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

Egyptian army soldiers stand guard as protesters stand on top of cement blocks near the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

An Egyptian army soldier helps a boy climb cement blocks in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Members of the Egyptian Republican Guard stand sentinel behind a barrier near the presidential palace in Cairo, Dec. 9, 2012. Hundreds of Egyptians continued to protest Sunday against President Mohammed Morsi's decision to keep the referendum on a disputed draft constitution scheduled for next week. (Tara Todras-Whitehill/The New York Times)

Riot police officers patrol the grounds near the presidential palace in Cairo, Dec. 9, 2012. Hundreds of Egyptians continued to protest Sunday against President Mohammed Morsi's decision to keep the referendum on a disputed draft constitution scheduled for next week. (Tara Todras-Whitehill/The New York Times)

Egyptian riot policemen guard a gate of the presidential palace, background, amid ongoing protests, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military has warned of 'disastrous consequences' if the political crisis gripping the country is not resolved through dialogue. " (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A protester opposed to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi chants slogans outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military said Saturday that serious dialogue is the "best and only" way to overcome the nation's deepening conflict over a disputed draft constitution hurriedly adopted by Islamist allies of President Mohammed Morsi, and recent decrees granting himself near-absolute powers. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Protesters opposed to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans near burning garbage at Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Supporters and opponents of Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi fought with rocks, firebombs and sticks outside the presidential palace in Cairo on Wednesday, as a new round of protests deepened the countryís political crisis. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

An Egyptian army tank is seen behind barbed wire securing the perimeter of the presidential palace while protesters on the other side chant anti President Mohammed Morsi slogans, in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. The Egyptian army deployed tanks and gave both supporters and opponents of Mohammed Morsi a deadline to leave the area outside the presidential palace Thursday following fierce street battles that left several people dead and hundreds injured in the worst outbreak of violence between the two sides since the Islamist leaderís election. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Egyptian protesters chant anti Muslim Brotherhood slogans outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. The Egyptian army deployed tanks and gave both supporters and opponents of Mohammed Morsi a deadline to leave the area outside the presidential palace Thursday following fierce street battles that left several people dead and hundreds injured in the worst outbreak of violence between the two sides since the Islamist leaderís election.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Anti-Mursi demonstrators stage a protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo December 7, 2012. Egyptian opposition leaders rejected a national dialogue on Friday that Islamist president Mohamed Mursi had proposed as a way out of a crisis that has polarised the nation and provoked deadly clashes on the streets. Opponents of Mursi staged more protests in Cairo and other cities, while his supporters in the Muslim Brotherhood held emotional funerals for six of the movement's members killed in fighting around the presidential palace earlier in the week. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Supporters of Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi gather outside the presidential palace in Cairo December 5, 2012. Islamists fought protesters outside the Egyptian president's palace on Wednesday, while inside the building his deputy proposed a way to end a crisis over a draft constitution that has split the most populous Arab nation. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A member of the Republican Guard stands behind a barbed wire barricade, as the Guard blocks a road leading to the presidential palace in Cairo December 7, 2012. Egyptian opposition leaders rejected a national dialogue on Friday that had been proposed by Islamist President Mohamed Mursi as a way out of a crisis that has polarised the nation and provoked deadly clashes in the streets. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood shout slogans during the funerals for fellow supporters of Mursi who died in recent clashes at the presidential palace according to local media, at Al Azhar mosque in Cairo December 7, 2012. The crisis unleashed by Mursi's bid to wrap up Egypt's transition on his own terms has eroded his nation's faith in their nascent democracy and will complicate the already unenviable task of government. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Egyptians shout slogans during the funeral of a supporter of President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo, on December 7, 2012. Seven people died in clashes between Morsi's Islamist supporters and his mainly secular opponents on in Egypt's worst political crisis since Morsi took office in June. MAHMOUD KHALED/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood carry the coffin of fellow supporter Mohamed Mamdouh al-Husseini, who died in recent clashes at the presidential palace according to local media, at Al Azhar mosque in Cairo December 7, 2012. The crisis unleashed by Mursi's bid to wrap up Egypt's transition on his own terms has eroded his nation's faith in their nascent democracy and will complicate the already unenviable task of government. Mohamed, a supporter of Mursi, was a son of a Muslim Brotherhood leader Mamdouh al-Husseini, reported local media. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Muslim Brotherhood and Egyptian President Morsi supporters carry two bodies who were killed during Wednesday's clashes during their funeral outside Al Azhar mosque, the highest Islamic Sunni institution, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. During the funeral, thousands Islamist mourners chanted, "with blood and soul, we redeem Islam," pumping their fists in the air. "Egypt is Islamic, it will not be secular, it will not be liberal," they chanted as they walked in a funeral procession that filled streets around Al-Azhar mosque. Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets after Friday midday prayers in rival rallies and marches across Cairo, as the standoff deepened over what opponents call the Islamist president's power grab, raising the specter of more violence. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood carry the coffin of Mohamed Mamdouh al-Husseini, who died in recent clashes at the presidential palace according to local media, at Al Azhar mosque in Cairo December 7, 2012. The crisis unleashed by Mursi's bid to wrap up Egypt's transition on his own terms has eroded his nation's faith in their nascent democracy and will complicate the already unenviable task of government. Mohamed, a supporter of Mursi, was a son of a Muslim Brotherhood leader Mamdouh al-Husseini, reported local media. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi speaks during a televised address in Cairo, in this still image taken from video made available to Reuters on December 6, 2012. Mursi invited political groups, judges and others to meet on Saturday for a national dialogue on a political road map after a referendum on a new constitution, which he signalled would go ahead as scheduled on Dec. 15. REUTERS/Nile TV via Reuters TV

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 file photo, members of the constitutional assembly attend a session to vote on a final draft of a new Egyptian constitution in Cairo, Egypt. The draft constitution that is now at the center of worsening political turmoil would empower Islamists to carry out the most widespread and strictest implementation of Islamic law that modern Egypt has seen. (AP Photo/Mohammed Abu Zaid, File)

In this Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 file photo released by the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi speaks to the constituent assembly in Cairo, Egypt. The draft constitution that is now at the center of worsening political turmoil would empower Islamists to carry out the most widespread and strictest implementation of Islamic law that modern Egypt has seen. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency, File)

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi poses during a photo opportunity at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military said Saturday that serious dialogue is the "best and only" way to overcome the nation's deepening conflict over a disputed draft constitution hurriedly adopted by Islamist allies of President Mohammed Morsi, and recent decrees granting himself near-absolute powers. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi (C) holds a meeting with his army chief and cabinet ministers at the presidential palace in Cairo December 6, 2012. Mursi met the army chief and cabinet ministers on Thursday to discuss how to stabilise the nation after clashes between his supporters and opponents outside the presidential palace, the presidency said in a statement. Mursi met General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is the head of the military and defence minister, as well as the prime minister, interior and justice ministers, and others. REUTERS/Egyptian Presidency/Handout

Graffiti depicting Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi covers an outer wall of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military warned Saturday of 'disastrous consequences' if the crisis that sent tens of thousands of protesters back into the streets is not resolved, signaling the army's return to an increasingly polarized and violent political scene. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

An Egyptian protester walks toward a banner with a defaced picture of president Mohammed Morsi and Arabic that reads "leave," near the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military has warned of 'disastrous consequences' if the political crisis gripping the country is not resolved through dialogue. The military said in a statement read on state TV on Saturday that serious dialogue is the "best and only" way to overcome the nation's deepening political dispute. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

An Egyptian protester chants anti-Muslim Brotherhood and Egyptian President Mohammed Mosri slogans outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military warned Saturday of 'disastrous consequences' if the crisis that sent tens of thousands of protesters back into the streets is not resolved, signaling the army's return to an increasingly polarized and violent political scene.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Protesters who were injured during overnight clashes between supporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, are pictured with their hands bound while being detained in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, December 6, 2012. Egypt's Republican Guard restored order around the presidential palace on Thursday after fierce overnight clashes killed seven people, but passions ran high in a struggle over the country's future. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A framed portrait of Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan Al-Banna lies on a chair in a ransacked room at the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, which was attacked two days ago, in Cairo December 8, 2012. A senior Muslim Brotherhood official said on Saturday a statement by Egypt's military calling for dialogue was a welcome step in helping to end a political crisis that did not take sides. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

An Egyptian protester wears an eye patch during an anti Muslim Brotherhood demonstration outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Supporters of Morsi and opponents clashed outside the presidential palace. Wednesdayís clashes began when thousands of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on the area around the palace where some 300 of his opponents were staging a sit-in. Arabic on the eye patch reads, "tear gas damaged my eye." (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, some of them injured, rest outside the Egyptian presidential palace in Cairo December 6, 2012. At least four tanks are deployed outside the palace on Thursday in a street where supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Mursi had been clashing into the early hours of the morning, Reuters witnesses said. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

A general view of mosques and the great pyramids before sunset in Cairo, December 5, 2012. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Egyptian protesters burn a picture portraying Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi as they gather outside the presidential palace after they broke a barbed wire barricade that was keeping them from getting closer to the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. Egypt's political crisis spiraled deeper into bitterness and recrimination Friday as thousands of Islamist backers of the president vowed vengeance at a funeral for men killed in bloody clashes earlier this week and large crowds of the president's opponents marched on his palace to increase pressure after he rejected their demands. Arabic on the poster reads, "down with the rule of the supreme guide." (AP Photo / Hassan Ammar)

A wounded protester reacts during clashes between supporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi outside the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Supporters and opponents of Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi fought with rocks, firebombs and sticks outside the presidential palace in Cairo on Wednesday in large-scale clashes that marked the worst violence of a deepening crisis over the disputed constitution. (AP Photo/Mostafa Elshemy)

An anti-Mursi protester is stopped by riot police as they separate them and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi on the other side, during clashes outside the presidential palace in Cairo, December 5, 2012. Islamists battled with protesters outside the presidential palace on Thursday, after his vice president suggested amendments could be agreed to the draft constitution that has divided the nation. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi hold his posters during clashes with anti-Mursi protesters, near the presidential palace in Cairo, December 5, 2012. Islamists battled with protesters outside the presidential palace on Thursday, after his vice president suggested amendments could be agreed to the draft constitution that has divided the nation. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Anti-Mursi protesters clash with supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi (bottom) with molotov cocktails and stones outside the presidential palace in Cairo, December 5, 2012. Islamists fought protesters outside the Egyptian president's palace on Wednesday, while inside the building his deputy proposed a way to end a crisis over a draft constitution that has split the most populous Arab nation. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Egyptian protesters stand behind barbed wire on a road leading to the presidential palace during a protest against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. The Egyptian army has deployed tanks outside the presidential palace in Cairo following clashes between supporters and opponents of Mohammed Morsi that left several people dead and hundreds wounded. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Protesters against Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi celebrate after peacefully breaking past barbed wire barricades guarding the presidential palace in Cairo December 7, 2012. Tens of thousands of Egyptian protesters surged around the presidential palace on Friday and the opposition rejected Mursi's call for dialogue to end a crisis that has polarised the nation and sparked deadly clashes. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A general view shows protesters against Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi after they peacefully broke past barbed wire barricades guarding the presidential palace in Cairo December 7, 2012. Tens of thousands of Egyptian protesters surged around the presidential palace on Friday and the opposition rejected Mursi's call for dialogue to end a crisis that has polarised the nation and sparked deadly clashes. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Egyptian riot police stand guard during a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. Egypt's political crisis spiraled deeper into bitterness and recrimination on Friday as large crowds of the Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's opponents marched to his palace to increase pressure after he rejected their demands. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

Egyptian army soldiers sit on top of their tank as the sun sets outside the presidential palace, background, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military warned Saturday of 'disastrous consequences' if the crisis that sent tens of thousands of protesters back into the streets is not resolved, signaling the army's return to an increasingly polarized and violent political scene.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A protester against Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi waves an Egyptian flag in front of Republican Guard soldiers standing behind a barbed wire barricade guarding the presidential palace in Cairo December 7, 2012. Tens of thousands of Egyptian protesters surged around the presidential palace on Friday and the opposition rejected Mursi's call for dialogue to end a crisis that has polarised the nation and sparked deadly clashes. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A supporter of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi chants slogans during clashes with opponents, not pictured, outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Wednesdayís clashes began when thousands of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on the area around the palace where some 300 of his opponents were staging a sit-in. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian protesters are seen near the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Egypt's military has warned of 'disastrous consequences' if the political crisis gripping the country is not resolved through dialogue. Arabic reads, "to the killer palace."(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsiís supporters, background, clash with opponents, foreground, outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Wednesdayís clashes began when thousands of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on the area around the palace where some 300 of his opponents were staging a sit-in. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsiís supporters beat an opponent, center, during clashes outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Wednesdayís clashes began when thousands of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on the area around the palace where some 300 of his opponents were staging a sit-in. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian policemen protect an opposition demonstrater after a scuffle with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi during clashes outside the presidential palace in Cairo on December 5, 2012. Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi tore down tents and forced opposition protesters to flee the presidential palace on Wednesday, as his deputy said a vote on a disputed constitution would go ahead in 10 days. MAHMOUD KHALED/AFP/Getty Images

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