CAIRO, Nov 21: Egypt’s cabinet said on Monday it had resigned as clashes raged in Tahrir Square between police and protesters demanding democratic change in the country’s biggest crisis since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.

State television quoted a military source as saying the ruling military council had rejected the resignation, but Information Minister Osama Heikal told the official MENA news agency the matter had not yet been decided.

“The government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has handed its resignation to the (ruling) Supreme Council of the Armed Forces,” cabinet spokesman Mohammed Hegazy said in a statement. Mr Sharaf’s resignation, if accepted, threatens to derail parliamentary elections scheduled for Nov 28 – the first polls since Mr Mubarak was toppled.

Tens of thousands of people packed Tahrir Square on Monday night, as clashes continued for a third straight day between protesters and police in and around the square.

The United States said it was ‘deeply concerned’ by the violence which has left at least 24 people dead since Saturday.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said it was important that US ally Egypt move towards democratic elections.

“We’re deeply concerned about the violence,” he said. “We call on restraint of all sides.”

Political forces behind the uprising have called for a mass rally on Tuesday to demand that the army cede power to civilian rule.

The Coalition of Revolution Youth and the April 6 Movement, among others, have called for the protest at 4pm  in Tahrir Square, the epicentre of rallies that ousted Mr Mubarak in February.

Police and military forces on Monday sporadically used batons, tear gas and birdshot against thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square.—AFP