24 killed, 212 wounded in Egypt protests
Egypt Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appeals for calm after 24 kills in clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces escalates in riots.
A protest in Cairo against an attack on a church in Aswan province last week caused violence to break out. Muslims joined in on both sides.
Sharaf said during an emergency cabinet meeting that disagreements between Egyptian Muslims and Christians was threatening the country’s security.
"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,” said Sharaf.
Although violence between opposing sects was on the rise before President Hosni Mubarak step down, the chaos of political transition appears to add fuel to the fire, with riots becoming more violent.
Apart from riots between protesters clashing with security forces after being attacked by individuals in plain cloths, burning army vehicles and other vehicles, as well as hurling stones, outside the Coptic hospital have also been reported.
Thousands of protesters – largely consisting of Christians – had joined the initial march to call on the military council to sack the governor of Aswan province and accused state TV of increasing anti-Christian agitation.
Reports released by the ministry of health in Egypt state that at least 24 people had been killed and 212 had been wounded in the clashes.
