Egyptian PM suspends Christian governor linked to ousted Mubarak regime

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf suspended a Christian governor linked to the ousted Mubarak regime after his appointment sparked protests in restive Qena province.

According to Egypt’s state news agency MENA, Sharaf ordered Emad Mikhail suspended for three months in a bid to contain anger in Qena, a region of central Egypt with a history of sectarian clashes, MENA said.

Mikhail is to be replaced temporarily by his deputy, Magued Abdel Karim, the agency said, adding that the premier called for calm in Qena and a return to business as usual.

Thousands of angry protesters, both Muslims and Christian Copts, have rallied in Qena over the past 12 days against the appointment of Mikhail -- a senior police officer under the regime of ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

The incidents raised fears of widespread sectarian unrest, with Egypt's Coptic minority long complaining of discrimination, particularly in Qena where Muslim-Christian ties are fragile.