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/news/world-middle-east-22058570
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cairo clashes follow Egypt Coptic funerals | Cairo clashes follow Egypt Coptic funerals |
(35 minutes later) | |
Clashes have broken out outside Cairo's main cathedral following the funerals of four Coptic Christians killed in sectarian violence on Saturday. | |
Hundreds of mourners inside the church earlier chanted slogans against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. | Hundreds of mourners inside the church earlier chanted slogans against Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. |
Meanwhile, Egypt's top judicial body has urged the chief prosecutor appointed by Mr Morsi to step down. | |
Talaat Abdullah has provoked anger by demanding the arrest of several high-profile political activists. | |
He was named to the post by President Morsi in December. | |
In a statement on Sunday, Egypt's Supreme Judiciary Council urged Mr Abdullah to return to his previous job as a judge. | |
Last week a court annulled the presidential decree that appointed him, but Mr Abdullah continued to carry out his duties, including issuing arrest warrants for activists accused of insulting President Morsi and Islam. | |
Sectarian violence | |
Egypt's minority of Coptic Christians, who make up around 10% of the population, have accused the government of failing to protect them, following the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. | |
Clashes between Muslims and Coptic Christians have been seen numerous times since then, but Saturday's violence was the worst seen in several months. | |
Police said the five deaths occurred in Khasus, about 10 miles (15km) north of Cairo, after Christian youths drew inflammatory symbols on an Islamic institute, provoking an argument. | |
The dispute escalated into a gun battle between Christian and Muslim residents, while Christian-owned shops were also attacked. | |
After the funerals in central Cairo on Sunday, the interior ministry said Coptic mourners leaving the cathedral clashed with local residents when cars parked outside were damaged. |