20111219
Press TV
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon blasts the Egyptian junta for its using excessive force against pro-democracy protesters in the country, demanding an end to the February-present military rule.

On Sunday, Egyptian security forces' shameless and brutal treatment of female protesters reached the World Wide Web as well as media outlets, sending shockwaves through the international community.

At least 10 protesters have been killed and 441 wounded in the violence, which erupted on Thursday.

The UN chief "is highly alarmed by the excessive use of force employed by the security forces against protesters, and calls for the transitional authorities to act with restraint and uphold human rights, including the right to peaceful protest," Ban's office said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Over the recent days, troops in riot gear have been filmed beating protesters with thick sticks even after they had fallen to the ground motionless.

Photos and video footage posted online showed the forces' mercilessly attacking a female protester, pulling up her manteau and dragging her half-naked through the street. One riot police member -- strangely in sneakers instead of the uniform footwear -- was seen kicking her savagely in the chest.

On Saturday, the troops pulled female protesters across the pavement by their hair, violently taking off their headscarves, besides kicking activists in the head until they became motionless.

International media presence did not discourage the troops from brutalizing the protesters, who are demanding that the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) immediately leave power.

The SCAF took over following the popular revolution that toppled the former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak in February. It has, however, so far refused to live up to its promise of handing over the power to a civilian government.