Christian protesters attacked in Cairo riots

Riots erupted in Cairo last night as Christians protesting about a recent attack on a church came under assault by thugs who rained stones down on them and fired pellets.

At least one soldier was killed in the melee, according to state television, and a number of military vehicles were burned.

Gunshots rang out at the scene outside the state television building, where lines of riot police with shields tried to hold back hundreds of Christian protesters chanting “This is our country.” Thick black smoke filled the air from the burning vehicles.

Thugs with sticks chased the Christian protesters from the site. One soldier collapsed in tears as ambulances rushed to the scene to take away the injured. Television footage showed some of the protesters attacking a soldier, while a priest tried to protect him.

The trouble began when thousands of Coptic Christians – who make up 10 per cent of the population – protesting over the latest attack on a church in southern Egypt, came under attack as they chanted denunciations of Egypt’s military rulers, whom they accuse of leniency in dealing with a series of anti-Christian attacks.

“The people want to topple the field marshal,” the protesters yelled, referring to the head of the ruling military council, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.

“Our protest is peaceful and I don’t know why they attack us,” said Rami Kamel, a protest leader.

In recent weeks, riots have broken out at two churches, prompted by Muslim crowds angry over church construction.

One riot broke out near Aswan, even after church officials agreed to a demand by local ultraconservative Muslims, called Salafis, that a cross and bells be removed from the building.