US Steps Up Pressure on Egypt Government as Unrest Escalates in Streets Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, erupted in mass protests on Jan. 25, 2011, as the revolution in Tunisia earlier in the month seemed to inflame decades worth of smoldering grievances against decades of heavy-handed rule by President Hosni Mubarak. The conflict intensified after Mr. Mubarak said he would not seek reelection but refused to step down, and armed pro-government protesters attacked anti-Mubarak crowds. More than 150 people are estimated to have died in Egypt since the turmoil began, according to human rights groups. The US is stepping up its pressure on the Egyptian government in the face of opposition protests, with the Senate passing a resolution calling for a caretaker government in Egypt and the Obama administration reportedly discussing a proposal with Egyptian officials for President Mubarak to resign immediately. The latest developments come after Mubarak said earlier Thursday in an interview with ABC News that he wants to leave office now but cannot for fear the country will sink deeper into chaos. He announced earlier this week his intention to end his three-decade rule, but only after elections in September. Chaos already prevails in the streets of Cairo, where pro- and anti-government groups clashed for a second day Thursday in a central square, and further escalation is expected Friday. .خلت الأزمة السياسية فى مصر أمس، نفقاً مظلماً جديداً بعد ساعات من حالة ...