Egyptian president's son 'flees to London with 100 pieces of luggage' on second day of violence

• Policeman and protester killed bringing two-day death toll to six
• Hague backs protesters' 'legitimate grievances' and issues plea for reform
• Twitter, Facebook, mobile phones disrupted to stop unrest spreading

The son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is said to have fled to London after the country was rocked by two days of riots over poverty.

Gamal Mubarak, 48 and believed to be his father's choice of successor, boarded a private jet from Cairo to London with his wife, daughter and around 100 piece of luggage, according to reports.

Hours after his sudden flight, reported by the U.S. based Arabic website Akhbar al-Arab, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague waded into the row attacking the government's heavy-handed tactics in a plea for political reform.

Uprising: Gamal Mubarak (left), the son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (right) is believed to have fled to London on a private plane

Reclaim the streets: Egyptian plainclothes policemen arrest an anti-government protester taking part in a second day of riots in Cairo

Hundreds of demonstrators hit the streets despite a government ban on protests.

But strengthened forces quickly moved in and used tear gas and beatings to disperse the mob.

Another protester and a policeman were killed, bringing the two-day death toll to six.

The crackdown by authorities brought harsh words from European leaders, who expressed concern and said the events underline the need for democratisation and respect for human and civil rights.

'Legitimate grievances': William Hague pushed for political transparency and reform

Mr Hague told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'Clearly, in so many of these countries people do have legitimate grievances, which are economic and political.

'While every country is different, and we shouldn't try to dictate what they should do, in general I do think it's important in this situation to respond positively to legitimate demands for reform, to move towards openness, transparency and greater political freedom.

'That would be my advice to Egyptian leaders.'

He also blasted the government's shut down of social networking sites in a bid to stop the unrest spreading.

He said: 'I would urge the Egyptian government, and I have urged the Egyptian government, to respect rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

'It would be futile over time to try to suppress such things.'

His concerns were echoed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who called on Egypt to adopt broad reforms and not crack down on the anti-government crowds.

She urged the Mubarak regime to 'take this opportunity to implement political, economic and social reforms that will answer the legitimate interests of the Egyptian people'.

Still, there was no indication that Mr Mubarak, who has ruled with an iron fist for nearly 30 years, intends to relinquish power or make democratic or economic concessions, and no sign he would rein in his security forces.

Officials said a total of 860 protesters have been rounded up nationwide since yesterday, when tens of thousands turned out for the largest protests in years - inspired by the uprising in Tunisia.

They demanded president Mubarak's removal and a solution to grinding poverty, rising prices and high unemployment.

After nightfall today more than 2,000 demonstrators were marching on a Nile-side road when dozens of riot police with helmets and shields charged the crowd. It was a scene repeated throughout the day wherever demonstrators tried to gather.

They were the latest in outbursts of political discontent in Egypt that have been growing more frequent and more intense over the past year.

Seeds of revolution: A woman holds an Egyptian flag in front of riot police during a protest in Cairo

Boiling over: Riot police can be seen behind burning tyres forming a temporary barricade in Cairo

Meeting point: Despite a ban on protests, many took to the streets again and gathered in crowds by the Nile in Cairo

Protests have erupted sporadically over police brutality, poverty and food prices, government corruption and mismanagement, and more recently sectarian strife between Christians and Muslims.

Parliamentary elections in November were widely decried as fraudulent.

Many in Egypt see these events as signs of the authoritarian president's vulnerability in an election year.

There is speculation that 82-year-old Mr Mubarak, who has been in power for nearly 30 years and recently experienced serious health problems, may be setting his son Gamal up for hereditary succession.

But there is considerable public opposition and, according to leaked US diplomatic memos, it does not meet with the approval of the powerful military. And the regime's tight hold on power has made it virtually impossible for any serious alternative to Mr Mubarak to emerge.

Streets rocked by rage: Egyptian anti-government activists chant angry slogans as they protest in Cairo

Activists used social networking sites to call for fresh demonstrations Wednesday. But Facebook, a key tool used to organise protests, appeared to be at least partially blocked in the afternoon.

Yesterday Twitter and mobile phones appeared to be sporadically blocked as well.

The Interior Ministry warned today that police would not tolerate any gatherings, and thousands were out on the streets poised to crack down quickly on any new signs of unrest after clashes yesterday that killed three demonstrators and one police officer.

Earlier today thousands of police in riot gear and backed by armoured vehicles took up posts in Cairo on bridges across the Nile, at major junctions and squares as well as outside key installations such as the state TV building and the headquarters of Mr Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party.

Pitched battles: Riot police walk past burning barricades on the streets of Cario after another day of protests against the government

Crowds: Four people have died - including three demonstrators - since violence broke out

Egypt in flames: An overturned police vehicle burns in Cairo after being set on fire by protesters

Police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of several hundred activists on a main commercial thoroughfare in central Cairo, chasing them through side streets as both sides pelted each other with rocks.

In the city of Suez east of Cairo, an angry crowd of about 1,000 gathered outside the morgue demanding to take possession and bury the body of one of three protesters who died in clashes yesterday.

In the southern city of Assiut, eyewitnesses said riot police set upon some 100 activists staging an anti-government protest , beating them up with batons and arresting nearly half of them.

Many protesters said they had been inspired by the uprising in Tunisia - even invoking some of the identical slogans heard in the other north African nation.

Protesters have vented anger over a host of ills in Egyptian society.

Batons raised: Protesters and police clash in a Cairo street as riots entered a second day

Taken away: Plainclothes police arrest Mohamed Abdul Quddus, a member of the Civil Liberties Committee and member of the Press Syndicate Council

Lines: The protests stem from fury at the levels of poverty in the country

Nearly half of all Egyptians live under or just above the poverty line, set by the World Bank at 2 dollars a day. The widespread poverty, high unemployment and rising food prices pose a threat to Mr Mubarak's regime at a time when tensions between Muslims and Christians are adding to the nation's woes.

A parliamentary election marred by allegations of widespread fraud that saw Mr Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party win all but a small number of the chamber's 518 seats.

In recent weeks he and his son have repeatedly vowed to ensure that ambitious economic reforms engineered by the younger Mubarak over the past decade filter down to the poor.

But that has not happened and there has been a marked increase in the frequency of street protests over the economy.

Egypt's benchmark stock index tumbled more than six per cent by close today, the lowest level in about eight months and the first concrete sign that the demonstrations have impacted the country's economy.

Now that's what you call looting: Tunisians steal ousted president's £125,000 Ferrari using a FORKLIFT TRUCK

While most looters resort to taking home whatever they can carry in their arms, these Tunisian thieves employed a slightly more enterprising approach… using a forklift truck.

They used the industrial vehicle to pick up one of ousted former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's Ferraris from its parking space and then simply drove off with the supercar dangling from the forks.

One looter riding in the JCB was seen grinning as he sped along a highway in the capital Tunis with the 599 GBB Fiorano, which cost £125,000 when new four years ago.

Leila Trabelsi. the former president's wife, was known for her love of fast cars - the family had more than 50 - and widely despised as the ultimate symbol of corruption and excess.

Dubbed ‘the Imelda Marcos of the Arab world’ the former hairdresser, 53, was also known for her luxury homes and frequent shopping trips to Dubai, during which she is said to have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Scroll down for video reports

Easy picking: A looter in a JCB forklift truck drives off with a Ferrari belonging to Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali

Thumbs up: Thieves in the truck's cab show their delight at taking the supercar in Tunisian capital Tunis

Finders, keepers: The thieves thought nothing of driving down the road with the Ferrari in broad daylight

Since Mr Ben Ali fled the country and went into exile in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, fierce riots have continued.

But today the huge street gatherings were much calmer, with protesters seen kissing soldiers and hanging flowers from their tanks.

The new government, led by Interim President Fouad Mbazaa, is distancing itself from the former regime and has begun releasing 1,800 prisoners.

It also moved to track down assets Mr Ben Ali and his widely disliked family had stashed overseas.

They include £35million worth of gold bullion smuggled out of the Mediterranean tourists haven by his wife Leila Ben Ali.

Damage: One of the burned out seaside mansions owned by Mr Ben Ali that have been looted

Mark of anger: Rioters have travellied around Tunisia stealing and destroying Mr Ben Ali's possessions

Hated: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (left) and wife Leila have fled to Saudi Arabia with millions of pounds

It is also estimated that Tunisian government officials have put about £388million into secret Swiss bank accounts.

Mr Mebazaa went on television and promised to live up to the people's revolt, which he called a ‘revolution’.

‘Regarding security, you have certainly noticed that it has improved,’ he said.

‘We have discovered the leaders of the chaos, and have stopped the gangs and those who put fear in the hearts of people. The situation is moving toward stability.’

Despite the ending of Mr Ben Ali’s 23-year-old regime, protesters are staying on the streets to demand that his former allies give up power.

From riot to love-in: Protesters kiss soldiers during a demonstration in capital Tunis today

Symbol of peace: Flowers placed on the barrel of a tank in very much calmer protests than in recent days

United: Protesters and soldiers hold hands as the new government attempts to encourage good will

Peaceful: A protester with a flower in his hand puts his arm around a policeman's shoulder

Call for change: Demonstrators are demanding all of Mr Ben Ali's allies leave the government

Mr Ben Ali's long-time prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, kept his post and is trying to convince Tunisians a new era has arrived - even if the composition of the interim government has many faces from the old guard.

But many Tunisians are doubtful about such promises of change.

Hafed al Maki, 50, who works at the country's largest insurance company, said he would not wait for the 60-day constitutional limit for new presidential elections to pass ‘because that is enough time for the old cronies to set their roots in and start their old ways again, thieving and taking our resources. No way that's happening again.’

Fears: An armed guard outside the first cabinet meeting attended by Interim President Fouad Mebazaa (right)

Opposition figures and the prime minister's office have said the 60-day limit is unrealistically short, and the delay is more likely to be six to seven months.

Today the United Nations' human rights chief, Navi Pillay, said she would be sending an ‘assessment team’ to Tunisia.

He estimated that more than 100 deaths have occurred so far during the unrest in the moderate Muslim state.

Tunis's stock exchange, many shops, schools and universities remained closed and some workers have gone on strike.

A curfew remains in place, though the government shortened it as security improved.

Man, 32, arrested 'for burning Koran in city centre anti-Muslim protest'

• U.S. pastor who threatened to burn Koran banned from UK
  

A 32-year-old man has been arrested after a Koran was allegedly burned during an anti-Islamic rant in Carlisle.

He was held after a man was reported to have stood on a street in the city centre loudly making pronouncements against the Muslim religion in front of a large crowd.

The incident came as controversial American preacher Pastor Terry Jones who caused an international storm by threatening to burn the Islamic holy book was barred from visiting the United Kingdom.

Controversial: Pastor Terry Jones sparked outrage with his plan to mark the anniversary of 9/11 by burning copies of the Koran

In Carlisle, the man is then alleged to have set fire to the Koran he was holding before discarding it on the floor and hurrying away.

Officers arrived at the scene a short time later and are now investigating.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police confirmed that a 32-year-old man has been arrested.

He added: 'Just after midday on Wednesday, police received reports that a Koran was being burned by a man in Carlisle city centre.

'Police have seized the remains of the book and a 32-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of using racially aggravated threatening words or behaviour.

'The man remains in police custody where he is helping officers with their inquiries.'

One witness said: 'A huge crowd gathered in the city centre and the man was basically burning the Koran in the middle of town.

'He didn't throw the book to the ground, but carried it around while it was burning.

'He then dropped it before leaving. He had been shouting anti-Islamic comments.

'People were absolutely horrified, it was shocking to see that in Carlisle, the whole thing lasted about three or four minutes.'

A shop worker who did not wish to be named said: 'The first we heard of it was through the link radio we have, that alerts us to trouble.

Provocative: Dove World Outreach Center church pastor Terry Jones speaks to the press about his planned Koran-burning session

'I thought it was really weird, you don't expect to hear that someone is burning a Koran outside your shop.

'People are entitled to their opinions, but it is wrong to voice them in such a way.

'I think it probably had something to do with the right-wing American who has been banned from the country.'

Pastor Terry Jones was banned by the Home Office under laws forbidding entry to people who may incite hatred.

He had threatened to burn copies of the Islamic book at his Florida-based church to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America last year.

He had been invited to England by a group called England Is Ours, next month.

Speaking on BBC 4's Today programme, Pastor Jones told of his disappointment at being refused entry to the country, before describing Islam as 'wrong and of the devil.'

He told John Humphrys: 'I believe that the Bible and Christianity and Jesus Christ is the only way. That means that Islam and all other religions that point to salvation other than Christianity are wrong and of the devil.

'That is actually normal Christian doctrine.'

Pastor Jones then added: 'We have always tried to make it clear we are not against Muslims or the Muslim community.

'We have always spoken out in relationship to the radical element of Islam. We believe in freedom of speech, we believe in freedom of religion.

Global anger: Pakistani lawyers carry a burning U.S. flag during a protest in the aftermath of Pastor Jones' comments

'From a religious aspect, from a Christian aspect, we would consider the religion of the devil, so would the Anglican Church, even though they might not say that.

'That’s because no one has the real guts to stand up and say what they actually believe because of fear of prosecution and of being called a hate preacher.

The Home Office has decided that Pastor Jones's presence here 'is not conducive to the public good'.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Government opposes extremism in all its forms which is why we have excluded Pastor Terry Jones from the UK.

'Numerous comments made by Pastor Jones are evidence of his unacceptable behaviour.

'Coming to the UK is a privilege, not a right, and we are not willing to allow entry to those whose presence is not conducive to the public good.

'The use of exclusion powers is very serious and no decision is taken lightly or as a method of stopping open debate.'

Pastor Jones was to speak at a series of demonstrations against the expansion of Islam and the construction of mosques in the UK.

A spokesman for England Is Ours said he hoped other members of Pastor Jones's outreach centre would be able to visit and speak to the group if the controversial preacher was unable to get the decision overturned.

Barry Taylor, secretary of the activists' group based in Milton Keynes, said Pastor Jones had planned to visit in mid-February to attend a number of meetings with other similar organisations.

He said: 'I'm very disappointed. The whole object of the exercise is to have a discussion about the Islamification of the UK and just have dialogue about the problems.

'The idea isn't to cause trouble or kick up a stink. These things do need addressing and people do need to speak about them. We shouldn't be frightened about them.'

Mr Taylor added he had expected around 100 people to attend events organised for Pastor Jones including around 30 members of England Is Ours.

'It's quite possible that other members of his outreach may be able to come,' he added.

'I understand Pastor Jones is planning some visits to nearby European countries and we will be able to go and visit him there.'

Taliban ends opposition to education for girls, claims Afghan education minister

• Major U-turn revealed by Farooq Wardak on visit to UK
• 38% of students and 30% of teachers are now female

The Taliban has abandoned its opposition to the schooling of girls, according to the country's education minister.

Farooq Wardak suggested that ongoing negotiations with the Taliban would not compromise achievements in expanding the number of children at school in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the radical Islamist movement.

Under the hardline Taliban regime from 1996 to 2001 women were forced to wear the burka, a garment covering the whole body and head, and banned from working or getting an education.

Moved on: There has been a change in attitudes to women in eduction according to Afghanistan's education minister

Mr Wardak, who visited Britain this week for the Education World Forum, claimed there had been major shifts in views about schooling in Afghanistan since 2001.

'It is attitudinal change, it is behavioural change, it is cultural change,' he said.

'What I am hearing at the very upper policy level of the Taliban is that they are no more opposing education and also girls' education.'

'I hope, Inshallah (God willing), soon there will be a peaceful negotiation, a meaningful negotiation with our own opposition and that will not compromise at all the basic human rights and basic principles which have been guiding us to provide quality and balanced education to our people.'

Afghan officials are engaged in secret behind-the-scenes peace talks with Taliban leaders in an attempt to end the bloody insurgency that has wracked the troubled country for more than nine years.

Mr Wardak's words suggest that the negotiations have gone beyond issues like the release of prisoners to touch on areas of government policy.

Hardline: During the Taliban era the percentage of girls among the one million students in Afghanistan was zero

The education minister admitted that historically opposition to schooling extended beyond the Taliban to the 'deepest pockets' of Afghan society.

'That is the reason that in many provinces of Afghanistan we do not have either male or female teachers,' he said.

'During the Taliban era the percentage of girls of the one million students that we had was 0%.

'The percentage of female teachers was 0%. Today 38% of our students and 30% of our teachers are female.'

Mr Wardak also criticised the UK for not providing more money for schools in his country.

'My expectation is from the British Government that they should make more contribution,' he said.

The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) spent £12 million on schooling in Afghanistan in 2009-10.

A spokeswoman said: 'We remain committed to improving education in Afghanistan.

'Last year, the British Government financed the salaries of 169,000 teachers through the Afghanistan reconstruction trust fund.

'Through the national solidarity programme, we have helped Afghan communities to build schools in every province of the country.

'Under the Taliban, there were around one million children in school, almost none of whom were girls.

'Now over five million attend school - over a third of whom are girls - and more than a quarter of all new teachers are women.'