Hundreds of Coptic Christians are protesting in in the Egyptian capital Cairo amid tight security on Monday after deadly sectarian clashes that occurred in the city days earlier.
Clashes continued overnight, leaving a further 42 people injured, according to a security source.
The protesters converged overnight and into the morning outside of the State Television and Radio building, causing heavy traffic congestion after cars were rerouted around the building in central Cairo.
Coptic protesters have accused the army of not doing enough to protect them from Salafists, who are ultraconservative Muslims, and thugs believed to be further inciting chaos.
The military and police have cordoned off the streets of Cairos Imbaba neighbourhood surrounding a church and three apartment buildings that were set ablaze during violence Saturday night. Worshippers said a church employee was burnt to death in the fire.
Egypt warned it would strike with an iron hand those who threatened the countrys national security, after a dozen people were killed and over 230 were injured in Saturday nights violence.
The violence erupted after Islamists marched to a church in Imbaba, where they believed that a young woman was being held hostage after converting to Islam.
A security source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the German Press Agency dpa that the womans whereabouts were unknown, but that her Muslim husband had been arrested in a sweep of over 200 people.
Those arrested will face military trial, according to the army, which has been in control of the country since former president Hosny Mubarak was toppled in February.
Coptic Christians comprise 10 to 15 per cent of the population in predominantly Muslim Egypt. |
