Egypt's military rulers apologized Thursday for the killing of protesters in central Cairo's Tahrir Square over the past five days.
"The (ruling) Supreme Council of the Armed Forces expresses deep sorrow and apology for the martyrdom of Egyptians (killed) in recent incidents in Tahrir," the junta said in a statement on its Facebook page, DPA reported.
Thirty-six people have been killed in clashes between security forces and protesters demanding a swift transition to civilian rule, according to the Health Ministry.
The council promised to act "swiftly and firmly" to prosecute all those involved in the violence.
The military has been ruling Egypt since a popular revolt unseated former president Hosny Mubarak in February.