24 dead in Cairo clashes
- 13 years ago
Military police vehicles chase down protesters in Cairo on Sunday night.
At least 24 people were killed and over 200 injured when violence broke out during a protest by Egyptian Christians over an attack on a church in the southern city of Aswan last week.
Protesters threw rocks at military police and set fire to vehicles, though they say the march was peaceful until it was attacked by security forces.
Speaking on state television later in the evening, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf called for calm.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER ESSAM SHARAF SAYING:
"These events have taken us backwards, and cast panic and fear over the future of the country, where instead of advancing to build a modern state of democratic principles, we are back searching for security and stability, worrying that there are hidden hands, both domestic and foreign, seeking to obstruct the will of Egyptians in establishing a democracy."
The violence casts a shadow over the upcoming parliamentary election, with candidates due to begin registering this week.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
At least 24 people were killed and over 200 injured when violence broke out during a protest by Egyptian Christians over an attack on a church in the southern city of Aswan last week.
Protesters threw rocks at military police and set fire to vehicles, though they say the march was peaceful until it was attacked by security forces.
Speaking on state television later in the evening, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf called for calm.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER ESSAM SHARAF SAYING:
"These events have taken us backwards, and cast panic and fear over the future of the country, where instead of advancing to build a modern state of democratic principles, we are back searching for security and stability, worrying that there are hidden hands, both domestic and foreign, seeking to obstruct the will of Egyptians in establishing a democracy."
The violence casts a shadow over the upcoming parliamentary election, with candidates due to begin registering this week.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.