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Egypt clashes: Military calls for swift unrest probe Egypt clashes: Copts mourn victims of Cairo unrest
(about 1 hour later)
Egypt's military rulers have called for a swift investigation into unrest in Cairo involving Coptic Christians and security forces on Sunday. Thousands of Egyptian Coptic Christians have gathered for the funerals of protesters killed during clashes with security forces in Cairo on Sunday.
Security forces moved in as clashes erupted at a march organised by Copts angry at an attack on a church. Many mourners expressed anger at the army, which they blame for the deaths.
But eyewitnesses say troops opened fire on the crowds, and TV footage showed military vehicles running people over. The protesters say they were attacked by thugs before the security forces fired on them and drove military vehicles into the crowds.
Reports said there was more unrest on Monday outside a Coptic hospital where the bodies of the victims were taken. The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed forces has told the government to carry out a swift inquiry into the violence.
The Associated Press news agency reported that several hundred Christians gathered outside the hospital and pelted police with stones. The council - which was handed the power to govern by President Hosni Mubarak before he was ousted in a popular revolt - is meant to be transitional and to hand over power to a president, once he or she is elected.
Meanwhile, Coptic Church leader Pope Shenuda III blamed Sunday's violence on infiltrators. The transitional government is appointed by the council.
"The Christian faith denounces violence. Strangers infiltrated the demonstration and committed the crimes for which the Copts have been blamed," the pope said in a statement. The Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypt's 85 million population, have a number of grievances against the interim administration.
The Copts - who make up about 10% of the population - protested in Cairo over an attack on one of their churches in the southern Aswan province. They say the authorities have been slow to punish radical Islamists who have attacked their churches.
As the morning mist lifted with the curfew in central Cairo, relative calm had returned to the streets. Coptic Christians organised Sunday's demonstration after a church was set on fire near Aswan last week. Local Muslims insisted it did not have the proper construction permits.
Yet Egyptians are still reeling with shock at this violence. The death toll in these clashes was the highest seen in years. In the past few months, security services have repeatedly been accused of failing to intervene to stop sectarian clashes across the country.
Pictures in late editions of the newspapers show chaotic scenes and the gory result, bodies lying in morgues. "Egypt bleeds in Maspero" reads one headline. "Who is the behind the flare-ups?" asks another. The transitional government is also accused of doing little to address the long-standing grievances of Christians. These include complaints about restrictions on building churches and a school curriculum focused on Islam.
State television showed clashes between Copts and soldiers who responded to the angry protests with tear gas. YouTube footage appears to show an armoured security van speeding into the crowd. I saw menacing gangs roaming the streets. Speaking on al-Arabiya television, Fouad Allam, the former head of Egypt's security services, gave a stark warning: "There needs to be serious action from the leaders to resolve the root causes, otherwise this could lead to civil war."
Funerals of the many victims will begin in the coming hours as the Egyptian cabinet meets to discuss its response. The pressure is now on to maintain order and ensure that political transition gets back on track.
They accuse the governing military council of being too lenient on the perpetrators of a string of anti-Christian attacks. Sunday's protest was sparked by the burning down of a church in the southern Aswan province.
The BBC's Yolande Knell in Cairo says the government is under pressure to give assurances about national unity. On Monday there were more angry scenes and low-level clashes between security forces and Copts, who had gathered for the funerals.
'Plain-clothed attackers' Many mourners directed their anger against the military, and particularly the head of the military council Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi.
"Tantawi you traitor, the blood of Copts is not cheap," Christians chanted outside the hospital where the bodies of their loved ones had been stored.
Others called for Field Marshal Tantawi to be deposed.
At least 24 people died on Sunday and hundreds more were injured.
It is not clear how many of those killed were Christians, but the authorities said three soldiers were among the dead.
Coptic Church leader Pope Shenuda III blamed Sunday's violence on infiltrators.
"The Christian faith denounces violence. Strangers infiltrated the demonstration and committed the crimes for which the Copts have been blamed," the pope said in a statement.
The military called on the government to carry out a quick investigation into the clashes by "forming a fact-finding committee to determine what happened and take legal measures against all those proven to have been involved".The military called on the government to carry out a quick investigation into the clashes by "forming a fact-finding committee to determine what happened and take legal measures against all those proven to have been involved".
In a statement read out on state TV, the army also said it would take all necessary measures to maintain security and repeated its commitment to plan for handing power to civilians.
Security has been stepped up at vital installations in Cairo, with additional troops deployed outside parliament and the cabinet building in anticipation of further unrest.Security has been stepped up at vital installations in Cairo, with additional troops deployed outside parliament and the cabinet building in anticipation of further unrest.
Funeral services were expected to be held in the afternoon at Cairo's Coptic cathedral. Thousands of people - mainly but not exclusively Christians - joined Sunday's march from the Shubra district of northern Cairo to the state TV building in Maspero Square.
Thousands of people - mainly but not exclusively Christians - joined the initial march from the Shubra district of northern Cairo to the state TV building in Maspero Square on Sunday, calling on the military council to sack the governor of Aswan province. They were calling on the military council to sack the governor of Aswan province.
They also accused state TV of fanning the flames of anti-Christian agitation.They also accused state TV of fanning the flames of anti-Christian agitation.
But the demonstrators said they were assaulted by attackers in plain clothes before the clashes with the security forces broke out. The demonstrators said they were assaulted by attackers in plain clothes before the clashes with the security forces broke out.
The violence began outside the state TV building but soon spread to Tahrir Square, the centre of the demonstrations which led to President Hosni Mubarak's resignation in February.The violence began outside the state TV building but soon spread to Tahrir Square, the centre of the demonstrations which led to President Hosni Mubarak's resignation in February.
There were reports of thousands joining in the street violence, attacking both sides. Rioters tore up the pavement and hurled stones.There were reports of thousands joining in the street violence, attacking both sides. Rioters tore up the pavement and hurled stones.
Correspondents say that many Muslims came out to defend Christians from the security forces and protest against the military's continued hold on power.
Some called for the resignation of the military council, in particular its chairman, Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi.
Others responded to government calls to help the army quell the unrest for the sake of stability.
Some protesters reported hearing gunfire, and several said they had seen a military vehicle run over at least five people. There has been no comment from the government on the reports.
One eyewitness, a Christian named Sandra, watched the violence on Maspero Square from her home.
"Everything took place directly underneath our house," she told the BBC.
"It all happened so fast. The army moved in with tanks and were literally running over people. You could see bodies all over the place. People were running and screaming."
The ministry of health said that at least 24 people had been killed and 212 had been wounded in the violence.
Of this number, at least 86 were security forces, ministry spokesman Hisham Shiha told the BBC.
Security vacuum
Later, Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appealed for calm.Later, Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appealed for calm.
Christians in Egypt have been worried by the increasing show of strength by ultra-conservative Islamists.Christians in Egypt have been worried by the increasing show of strength by ultra-conservative Islamists.
In May, 12 people died in attacks on Coptic churches. In March, 13 people were killed in clashes between Muslims and Copts in Tahrir Square.In May, 12 people died in attacks on Coptic churches. In March, 13 people were killed in clashes between Muslims and Copts in Tahrir Square.
This latest violence comes ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 November, the first such vote since Mr Mubarak was ousted.This latest violence comes ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 November, the first such vote since Mr Mubarak was ousted.
The Copts, the largest minority in Egypt, complain of discrimination, including a law requiring presidential permission for churches to be built. Egypt only recognises conversions from Christianity to Islam, not the other way.The Copts, the largest minority in Egypt, complain of discrimination, including a law requiring presidential permission for churches to be built. Egypt only recognises conversions from Christianity to Islam, not the other way.
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