Egypt's Cabinet Resigns Amid Widening Protests

Egyptians are converging on Cairo's central Tahrir Square in response to a call for a so-called million-man march as protests against the country's military rulers enter a fourth day.

Thousands of Egyptian protesters have been camping out on the square and clashing with police trying to force them to leave.

They hoisted a giant Egyptian flag and chanted slogans on Tuesday, evidence that an offer of resignation by the civilian Cabinet the day before has failed to quell the spreading unrest.

The government has come under criticism from across the political spectrum since it came to office in March for its perceived inefficiency and its subordination to the military.

Egypt's state-TV says three people were killed overnight in the eastern city of Ismailia, raising the overall death toll from the protests to 29.

Meanwhile, the White House says the eruption of violence in Egypt should not stand in the way of elections and a rapid transition to democracy.

Spokesman Jay Carney says the U.S. is deeply concerned about the violence and is calling for restraint on all sides.

He says despite the clashes between security forces and protesters, Egypt must proceed with a timely transition to democracy.

The clashes in Cairo's Tahrir Square are the most sustained challenge yet to Egypt's military rule since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.

Egypt is set to begin its first post-Mubarak parliamentary elections next week.