This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15235636
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Egypt PM Essam Sharaf urges calm after Cairo clashes | Egypt PM Essam Sharaf urges calm after Cairo clashes |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Egyptian prime minister has appealed for calm after 24 people were killed in clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces. | The Egyptian prime minister has appealed for calm after 24 people were killed in clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces. |
| The violence broke out after a protest in Cairo against an attack on a church in Aswan province last week, which Copts blame on Muslim radicals. | The violence broke out after a protest in Cairo against an attack on a church in Aswan province last week, which Copts blame on Muslim radicals. |
| PM Essam Sharaf said discord between Muslims and Christians in Egypt was "a threat to the country's security". | PM Essam Sharaf said discord between Muslims and Christians in Egypt was "a threat to the country's security". |
| His comments came after an emergency cabinet meeting. | |
| A nighttime curfew was lifted at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT). | |
| Speaking in a televised address after touring the area where the clashes had occurred late on Sunday, Mr Sharaf said: "The most serious threat to the country's security is tampering with national unity, and the stirring of discord between Muslim and Christian sons of Egypt." | Speaking in a televised address after touring the area where the clashes had occurred late on Sunday, Mr Sharaf said: "The most serious threat to the country's security is tampering with national unity, and the stirring of discord between Muslim and Christian sons of Egypt." |
| He added that such violence - the worst in Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February - was also "tampering with the relationship between the people and the army". | He added that such violence - the worst in Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February - was also "tampering with the relationship between the people and the army". |
| Earlier, Egyptian TV showed protesters clashing with security forces as army vehicles burned outside the state TV building where protesters had originally planned a sit-in. | Earlier, Egyptian TV showed protesters clashing with security forces as army vehicles burned outside the state TV building where protesters had originally planned a sit-in. |
| There were also reports of burning vehicles outside the Coptic hospital, where many of the injured have been taken. | |
| Sectarian tensions have increased in recent months in Egypt. | Sectarian tensions have increased in recent months in Egypt. |
| The Copts - who make up about 10% of the population - accuse the governing military council of being too lenient on the perpetrators of a string of anti-Christian attacks. | The Copts - who make up about 10% of the population - accuse the governing military council of being too lenient on the perpetrators of a string of anti-Christian attacks. |
| Stones hurled | Stones hurled |
| Thousands - mainly but not exclusively Christians - joined the initial march from the Shubra district of northern Cairo to the state TV building in Maspero Square. | Thousands - mainly but not exclusively Christians - joined the initial march from the Shubra district of northern Cairo to the state TV building in Maspero Square. |
| 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 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. |
| But the demonstrators said they were assaulted by attackers in plain clothes before the clashes with the security forces broke out. | But 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 epicentre of the demonstrations which led to President Mubarak's resignation. | The violence began outside the state TV building but soon spread to Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the demonstrations which led to President Mubarak's resignation. |
| Thousands joined in the street violence, tearing up the pavement and hurling stones. | |
| Some protesters reported hearing gunfire, and several said they had seen a military vehicle run over at least five people. | |
| Eyewitness Nigel Hetherington says troops fired rubber bullets and teargas into crowds. "I saw civilians running past my window as troops fired wildly into the crowds," he told the BBC. | Eyewitness Nigel Hetherington says troops fired rubber bullets and teargas into crowds. "I saw civilians running past my window as troops fired wildly into the crowds," he told the BBC. |
| The ministry of health said that at least 24 people had been killed and 212 had been wounded in the violence. | |
| Of this number, 107 were civilians and 86 were security forces, ministry spokesman Hisham Shiha told the BBC. | Of this number, 107 were civilians and 86 were security forces, ministry spokesman Hisham Shiha told the BBC. |
| Simmering tensions | Simmering tensions |
| Protesters also called for the resignation of the military council, in particular its chairman, Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi. | Protesters also called for the resignation of the military council, in particular its chairman, Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi. |
| The BBC's Yolande Knell in Cairo says sectarian tensions have simmered in the political and security vacuum that has developed in the past couple of months. | The BBC's Yolande Knell in Cairo says sectarian tensions have simmered in the political and security vacuum that has developed in the past couple of months. |
| Christians have been worried by the increasing show of strength by ultra-conservative Islamists. | Christians 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 former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down. | This latest violence comes ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 November, the first such vote since former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down. |
| 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. |
| Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |