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213 injured as police, protestors clash in Cairo

19 November 2011 20:42 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least 213 people were injured as the security forces clashed with protestors in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Saturday, the countryâ€™s health ministry said, APA reports.

The injured, who suffered bruises and tear gas suffocation, were in stable conditions, the ministry said.

Military police clashed with protestors in downtown Cairoâ€™s Tahrir Square. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowds, one day after a protest here to demand the early transfer of power to civilian rule.

The security forces cleared the square, where a small group of protestors had stayed and attempted to hold a sit-in on Saturday morning. At around midday, protestors gathered again in the square and threw stones at the military police who tried to disperse them.

Some protestors climbed onto a police van and smashed its windows with sticks and stones. The vehicle was then set ablaze.

On Saturday evening, hundreds of protestors were still at the square.

Seven policemen were injured during the clashes. Five rioters were arrested, the state media reported.

Assistant Interior Minster Sami Sedhom blamed the violence on some parties wishing to create chaos and instability in the country in order to delay the coming elections, official MENA news agency said.

"The revolution has nothing to do with sabotage or burning security vehicles," he said.

Egypt saw protests and violence recently as it prepared to start the legislative polls on Nov. 28. On Friday, tens of thousands of protestors rallied at the Tahrir Square to protest a constitution principle charter and the military rule.

On Thursday, 29 people were injured as about 100 Copts clashed with residents during their march toward downtown Cairo to commemorate the Oct. 9 clashes which left at least 25 dead.

The interior ministry has launched a crackdown campaign against outlaws in order to secure the elections.