Baton-wielding police threaten protesters as Egypt's stability teeters

A riot police officer uses his baton on an anti-government protester during clashes along Qasr Al Nil bridge, which leads to Tahrir Square in Cairo on Jan. 28.

A masked Egyptian protester flashes the victory sign during clashes with police, background, near Tahrir Square, Cairo, on Jan. 28.

Egyptians attend the funeral of several victims the previous day's violence in Port Said, Egypt, on Jan. 28. The worst violence in Egypt this past weekend was in the Mediterranean coastal city of Port Said, where at least 44 people died in two days of clashes. The unrest was sparked on Saturday by a court conviction and death sentence for 21 defendants involved in a mass soccer riot in the city's main stadium on Feb. 1, 2012, that left 74 dead.

By John Newland, Staff Writer, NBC News
Thousands turned out Monday in Port Said to attend funerals for the seven people killed in the previous day's violence, which broke out as mourners paid their respects to 33 people who had died in riots the day before.
Meanwhile, a man in Cairo was shot dead during a fifth day of clashes during protests against the government of President Mohammed Morsi, Reuters reported, citing a source in the Interior Ministry. 

An Egyptian protester covers his face with a plastic bag to protect himslef from tear gas during clashes with riot police near Tahrir Square in Cairo on Jan. 28.

A protester throws a tear gas canister back at riot police during clashes near Tahrir Square in Cairo on Jan. 28.

Riot police run towards anti-government protesters during clashes near Tahrir Square in Cairo on Jan. 28.

Egyptians carry the coffins of the previous day's violence in Port Said, Egypt, on Jan. 28.