Fears of a bloodbath as violence escalates in 2 cities.(News)

Byline: ALUN PALMER

AT least 611 people were injured and three were killed in yesterday's bloody clashes in central Cairo.

Violence also erupted at protests in Alexandria.

And there were fears it would spread across Egypt as President Mubarak's three million-strong National Democratic Party ramped up efforts to quell anti-government protests.

Last night Egyptian state TV ran an order for "all demonstrators to evacuate Tahrir Square".

Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei accused the government of using "scare tactics" in a bid to cling on to power. He said: "My fear is that it will turn into a bloodbath."

Mr Mubarak has said he will step down in September. But last night world leaders urged his regime to start giving up power now.

At a meeting in Downing Street, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called the situation "unacceptable". He said: "It is important that an orderly and peaceful transition should take place.

DANGER

"I urge all parties to engage in such a process without further delay. We should not underestimate the danger of instability across the Middle East."

The military had urged protesters to end their nine day stand-off in the capital "out of love for Egypt". An army spokesman said: "Your message has arrived, your demands became known.

You are capable of bringing normal life to Egypt."

The UN estimates that around 300 people have died during the protests that began last Tuesday.

Internet services began to return yesterday after days of an unprecedented cut-off by the government.

The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Egypt and urges any Irish citizens already there to exercise extreme caution and to avoid all demonstrations.

The US and Chinese governments have already evacuated hundreds of citizens on chartered flights, while British nationals are understood to be among the Europeans flown to Vienna by the Austrian military.

CAPTION(S):

DEFIANT Linked to face tanks