The Straits Times
Published on Dec 06, 2012

Egypt crisis turns violent as Mursi supporters, foes clash


CAIRO (AFP) - Allies and foes of Egypt's Mohamed Mursi lobbed fire bombs and rocks at each other on Wednesday as their simmering standoff over the Islamist president's expanded powers and a new constitution turned violent.

Bloodied protesters were seen carried away as gunshots could be heard and the rivals torched cars and set off fire crackers near the presidential palace, where opponents of Mr Mursi had set up tents before his supporters drove them away.

Riot police were eventually sent in to break up the violence, but clashes were still taking place in side streets near the palace in the upscale Cairo neighbourhood of Heliopolis.

The health ministry said 211 people had been injured so far.