Anti-government protests in the Egyptian capital Cairo have spread to the country's parliament, with access blocked by demonstrators.
Soldiers are guarding the People's Assembly building after a 16th consecutive day of protests.
They took place despite a warning by Vice-President Omar Suleiman that demonstrations had to end.
There are reports of widespread industrial action, and of protests outside Cairo turning violent.
Washington, which has become increasingly critical of Cairo, says the Egyptian government has yet to take the "necessary steps" that its people need to see.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Cairo, says the protesters regard the People's Assembly as illegitimate following general elections late last year which were widely regarded as rigged in favour of President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party, which won a massive majority.
Nearby Tahrir Square remains the focal point of protests calling for an end to President Mubarak's 30-year rule, with thousands of demonstrators present, some camping there overnight.
The Associated Press (AP) news agency reports that the capital also saw protests by state electricity workers and museum workers on Wednesday. However, Egypt's most famous tourist attraction, the Pyramids of Giza, reopened to tourists.
Outside Cairo:
- At least four people have been killed during rioting in the south-western New Valley province, with reports that police opened fire on demonstrators with live ammunition
- AP reports that 8,000 protesters in the southern province of Assiut blocked the main highway and railway to Cairo with burning palm trees
- In Port Said, hundreds of protesters set fire to the governorate building
- At the Suez Canal, the state-owned trade link between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, about 6,000 state workers have gone on strike - but the action is not affecting the passage of ships
Late on Tuesday night, Mr Suleiman said the crisis must end, adding: "We don't want to deal with Egyptian society with police tools."