Clashes between Christians and military police in Egypt left at least 24 killed, in what was considered the worst violence that rocked the country since the February uprising.
Clashes between Christians and military police in Egypt left at least 24 killed, in what was considered the worst violence that rocked the country since the February uprising.
Christians protesting about an attack on a church clashed with military police as they set cars on fire, burned army vehicles and hurled rocks at police who they said used heavy-handed tactics against them.
A curfew was imposed from 2:00 am (0000 GMT Monday) to 7:00 am in the area from Maspero to Abbassiya square in central Cairo, said a banner broadcast on television Sunday night.
The Health Ministry said the death toll had reached 24 with 213 injured, the official MENA news agency reported. It did not identify the dead but state television had earlier reported three soldiers were killed.
Christians, who make up 10 percent of Egypt's roughly 80 million people, took to the streets after the incident last week. They also demanded the sacking of the province's governor for failing to protect the building.
Following the clashes, the cabinet called for an emergency meeting on Monday, vowing the violence would not derail Egypt's first election since the regime of Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February.
"SELF-RESTRAINT"
For his part, Prime Minister called for self-restraint, urging the Egyptians "not to give in to sedition because it is a fire which burns up everybody."
"Instead of advancing to build a modern state of democratic principles, we are back searching for security and stability, worrying that there are hidden hands, both domestic and foreign, seeking to obstruct the will of Egyptians in establishing a democracy," Sharaf said on state television.
"We will not surrender to these malicious conspiracies and we will not accept reverting back," he said in his address.
“What is taking place are not clashes between Muslims and Christians but attempts to provoke chaos and dissent," the prime minister said further on his Facebook page.
"This is not befitting the children of the homeland who remain and will remain a single hand against the forces of vandalism... and extremism," Sharaf added.
Tensions between Christians and Muslims have increased since the uprising. But Muslim and Christian activists said the violence Sunday was not due to sectarian differences but was directed at the army's handling of the protest.
On the other hand, the violence raises fears that the parliamentary elections, which will take place soon, may be delayed. The elections will start in November 28, with the candidates due to begin registering during the week starting Wednesday.
