Passion gives way to bloodshed in Cairo

The protests in Egypt have erupted into uncontrolled violence as pro and anti government demonstrators have been attacking each other in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Days of peaceful calls for the president to quit have been transformed into vicious and bloody fighting following his announcement that he would stand down only at the next election.

The army has told demonstrators from both sides to go home but so far has stood by while they rain stones and firebombs on each other.

Ian Pannell reports from Cairo.