CAIRO — President Obama’s calls for a rapid transition to a new order in Egypt seemed eclipsed on Wednesday as a choreographed surge of thousands of people chanting support for the Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak fought running battles with a larger number of antigovernment protesters in and around Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

By ANTHONY SHADID, DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and KAREEM FAHIM in the NYT

– Al Jazaeera reports:

Earlier, witnesses said the military allowed thousands of pro-Mubarak supporters, armed with sticks and knives, to enter the square. Opposition groups said Mubarak had sent in thugs to suppress anti-government protests.

Our correspondent said the army seemed to be standing by and facilitating the clashes. Latest reports suggest that despite the pro-Mubarak supporters gaining ground, the centre of the square is still in control of the protesters.

Al Jazeera’s special coverage on Egypt

Another Al Jazeera correspondent said men on horseback and camels ploughed into the crowds, as army personnel stood by. The correspondent added that more horses and camels are arriving into the square.