Protesters return to Cairo's Tahrir Square

Hundreds of anti-government protesters have returned to Cairo's central TahrirSquare, chanting slogans against Hosni Mubarak just hours after the Egyptian president fired his Cabinet but refused to step down.

Protesters have overwhelmed the police forces in parts of Cairo and other cities around Egypt, and overnight the army replaced the police in guarding government buildings and oher key areas.

Several tanks were parked in Tahrir Square, but soldiers did not intervene in Saturday's protest there.

Not far from the square, the army has sealed the road leading to the parliament and Cabinet buildings.

Along the Nile, smoke was still billowing from the ruling party's headquartes, which protesters set ablaze during Friday's unrest.