190 in Egypt sectarian clashes to face military trial

Egyptians watch as firefighters battle a blaze in a church after clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo. Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf called an urgent cabinet meeting Sunday and postponed a Gulf visit after the clashes which left nine people dead, state media said.(AFP)

By Jailan Zayan, AFP

CAIRO (AFP) - Egypt's military rulers said on Sunday that 190 people detained overnight in connection with deadly clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo will face a military trial.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has ruled Egypt since a popular uprising toppled president Hosni Mubarak, ordered "the transfer of all those arrested in connection with (Saturday's) events, and they number 190, to the Supreme Military Court, as a deterrent to all those who think of toying with the potential of this nation."

In a statement on its Facebook page, the council also said it would "set up a committee to assess the damage caused by the clashes and to restore all property and places of worship to how they were before the events."

In a stern communique, the council warned of the "severe dangers facing Egypt during this phase."

It called on "all communities in Egypt, the youth of the revolution, the national forces and Islamic and Christian scholars to stand like a wall against any attempt by the forces of evil and darkness to tear the national fabric."

The clashes in the working class neighbourhood of Imbaba, in northwest Cairo, on Saturday also left 186 injured, TV reported.

The two groups clashed after Muslims attacked the Coptic Saint Mena church in Imbaba to free a Christian woman they alleged was being held against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam.

Copts account for up to 10 percent of the country's 80 million people and they complain of discrimination, and have been the targets of fairly regular sectarian attacks.