25 Nov 2010

Christians clash with police in Egypt

12:28 pm on 25 November 2010

Coptic Christians in Egypt have clashed with police during a rare public protest over their right to build churches.

At least one demonstrator was killed in the clashes, just south of Cairo on Wednesday. The interior ministry said more than 100 people had been arrested.

Egypt has seen a rise in sectarian tension over the past few years, which analysts say is partly because of the rise of political Islam.

The Christians said they had permission to build the church, in Cairo's Giza district, but officials said they did not have the proper permit.

The BBC reports there has been friction in the past between Muslims and Christians, who complain they do not have the same freedom to build places of worship.

Christians comprise about 10% of the country's population of 85 million.