Coptics, Muslims rage in Egypt
2006-04-15 19:11
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Alexandria - Clashes erupted in the northern Egyptian city of Alexandria on Saturday, following the funeral of a worshipper killed in Friday's attacks on Coptic Christian churches in the city.
The clashes erupted as the funeral procession left the Quidissin church and headed to a nearby cemetery.
Witnesses said Muslims and Copts attacked each other with sticks, and stones were thrown from nearby buildings.
A car was set alight in the skirmishes and gun shots could be heard.
Egyptian security forces were quick to intervene and separated those fighting from the rest of the procession.
Several hundred Copts attended the funeral of 78-year-old Noshi Atta Girgis, killed by a knife-wielding assailant in attacks on churches in Alexandria on Friday.
The procession turned into a demonstration calling for Coptic unity.
The Egyptian interior ministry said a 25-year-old man, Mahmud Salaheddin Abdul Razek, had been arrested.
They described him as "mentally unstable".
Egyptian police said there were two attackers carrying knives, and put the number of wounded at 12.
- AFP