Egypt police fire birdshot, tear gas at protesters

Egypt security forces have fired tear gas and birdshot at anti-government protesters during nationwide demonstrations, injuring several people.

The violence took place on Friday, in many cities across the country, leaving a number of protesters injured. Security forces also made several arrests.

Demonstrations were held after Friday prayers in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as well as in the cities of Alexandria, Faiyum, Ismailia, Suez and Giza.

Protesters denounced what they called the comic trial of ousted president, Mohamed Morsi. They also protested against Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s possible bid to run for president.

In addition, the demonstrators expressed anger at the interim government’s decision on Thursday to delay the resumption of the academic year at all public schools and universities for the third time.

Officials said the delay is due to renovations of schools damaged during earlier protests. However, some believe the authorities are fearful of more anti-government demonstrations at universities.

In another development, unknown assailants threw Molotov cocktails and torched at least eight vehicles belonging to security forces in the capital’s Nasr City and Giza’s Haram area.

Egypt has been experiencing unrelenting violence since last July when the army ousted the country’s first democratically-elected president, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament. It also appointed the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court Adly Mahmoud Mansour as the new interim president.

The interim government has launched a bloody crackdown on Morsi’s supporters and arrested thousands of Brotherhood members, including the party’s senior leaders.