Three Americans arrested amid Egypt protests

WASHINGTON — Three Americans have been arrested in Egypt in connection with the anti-military rallies that have rocked the country in recent days, the US State Department said Tuesday.

When asked if the three US nationals were believed to be safe, department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the government had "no information to indicate otherwise."

"We can confirm that there are three US citizens in detention in connection with the protests. We have requested consular access to them. We expect that we will have that access tomorrow," Nuland told reporters.

"Our embassy has been in contact with Egyptian authorities throughout the day," she said, offering no other details.

US media have reported that three US students on an academic exchange at the American University in Cairo were arrested on Monday along with other protesters in the Egyptian capital.

Tens of thousands have rallied in Cairo's Tahrir Square for days against the military, which took power when Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February. At least 28 people have been killed since Saturday, the health ministry said.

Egypt's military ruler said Tuesday that presidential polls will be held by the end of June, and offered a referendum on the immediate transfer of power in a bid to defuse tensions, as demonstrators rallied again in the square.