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 2 Version 3
Egypt PM Essam Sharaf urges calm after Cairo clashes Egypt PM Essam Sharaf urges calm after Cairo clashes
(40 minutes later)
The Egyptian prime minister has appealed for calm after 24 people were killed in clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces. Egypt's PM has appealed for calm after 24 people were killed as clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces escalated into full-scale riots.
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, with Muslims joining in on both sides.
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.His comments came after an emergency cabinet meeting.
A nighttime curfew was lifted at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT).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."
Sectarian tensions were on the rise in Egypt even before the fall of President Hosni Mubarak. But now they appear to have become much worse in the chaos of political transition.Sectarian tensions were on the rise in Egypt even before the fall of President Hosni Mubarak. But now they appear to have become much worse in the chaos of political transition.
Christians - who make up about 10% of the population - say they're worried about increasing shows of strength by ultraconservative Muslims.Christians - who make up about 10% of the population - say they're worried about increasing shows of strength by ultraconservative Muslims.
With parliamentary elections due next month - the pressure is now on to reassure all Egyptians their voices will be heard - and to restore order.With parliamentary elections due next month - the pressure is now on to reassure all Egyptians their voices will be heard - and to restore order.
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.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 hurledStones 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. 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.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.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 Discrimination concern
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 clashes? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the area? Did you witness the clashes? 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 conditionsRead the terms and conditions