Christians clash with Egypt police
In the latest sectarian flare-up, Egyptian Christians, some carrying crosses, clashed with military police in Cairo.
At least 24 people killed with over 210 injured, medical and security sources said.
Christians protesting against an attack on a church threw rocks and petrol bombs, and set cars on fire.
Thick smoke and tear gas filled the air, as hundreds fought with sticks on the 6th October bridge.
Some Muslims joined the rally in solidarity with protestors.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MUSLIM PROTESTER, SAYING:
"I am a Muslim man, when I learned of people being hit at in Tahrir Square I had to come here, no matter who it is, they are Egyptian. His religion is irrelevant, I would not ask what religion a person who died is. If a person has demands, there are legitimate means and channels that will respond to those demands. Whether it's a church in Aswan, a church in India, or a church wherever, with principle and with licenses, they will be built. There is no problem if they want to build one hundred thousand churches, so long as it is done by a principle."
Christians, who make up 10 percent of Egypt's roughly 80 million people, took to the streets, after blaming Muslim radicals for partially demolishing a church in Aswan province last week.
They also demanded the sacking of the province's governor for failing to protect the building.
More than four vehicles were set ablaze before Egypt's army rulers imposed a curfew on Cairo's Tahrir Square and downtown area.
The curfew would last from 2am to 7am on Monday, state media reported.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.
At least 24 people killed with over 210 injured, medical and security sources said.
Christians protesting against an attack on a church threw rocks and petrol bombs, and set cars on fire.
Thick smoke and tear gas filled the air, as hundreds fought with sticks on the 6th October bridge.
Some Muslims joined the rally in solidarity with protestors.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MUSLIM PROTESTER, SAYING:
"I am a Muslim man, when I learned of people being hit at in Tahrir Square I had to come here, no matter who it is, they are Egyptian. His religion is irrelevant, I would not ask what religion a person who died is. If a person has demands, there are legitimate means and channels that will respond to those demands. Whether it's a church in Aswan, a church in India, or a church wherever, with principle and with licenses, they will be built. There is no problem if they want to build one hundred thousand churches, so long as it is done by a principle."
Christians, who make up 10 percent of Egypt's roughly 80 million people, took to the streets, after blaming Muslim radicals for partially demolishing a church in Aswan province last week.
They also demanded the sacking of the province's governor for failing to protect the building.
More than four vehicles were set ablaze before Egypt's army rulers imposed a curfew on Cairo's Tahrir Square and downtown area.
The curfew would last from 2am to 7am on Monday, state media reported.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.