Death toll in Egypt clashes climbs to 49, over 700 injured

The death toll in fierce clashes in Egypt rose to 49 with over 700 injured as Prez Muhammed Mursi declared emergency in riot-hit towns after fresh violence erupted during the funeral of the people killed in unrest triggered by death penalty given to 21 football fans. Mursi on Sunday declared a 30-day state of emergency inPort Said, Suez and Ismailia, the three governorates which have witnessed deadly clashes since the second anniversary of the Egyptian revolution on 25th January. "I have said I am against any emergency measures but I have said that if I must stop bloodshed and protect the people then I will act," Mursi said on Sunday. He warned that he was ready to take further measures if the deadly violence did not end. "If I must I will do much more for the sake of Egypt. This is my duty and I will not hesitate," the President said. Mursi also invited Egyptian opposition leaders for talks on Monday. The bodies, wrapped in white shrouds, were carried in open coffins along the main avenue of Port Said, an Egyptian canal city, during which a brief burst of gunfire set off chaotic scenes that later degenerated into rioting. Seven persons were killed on Sunday and more than 400 injured in the city when unidentified gunmen opened fire at the funeral of the people killed in violence after a court on Saturday handed down the death penalty to 21 fans for a post-match riot. Live ammunition, birdshot and tear gas were responsible for most of the injuries. Eyewitnesses claim to have seen masked groups shooting security troops in Police Club Square during the funeral procession. Condemning the clashes that had left over 300 people injured on Saturday, the Presidency called for a national dialogue in the wake of the ongoing unrest. The Presidency's statement came as the Health Ministry said the death toll in the fierce clashes between protesters and security forces in Port Said had climbed to 42, with seven people, including an 18-year-old boy, killed in violence on Sunday. Chaos broke out soon after a court on Saturday handed down the death penalty to 21 fans of Port Said club Al-Masry over the killing of 74 people in post-match violence last February following a game with Cairo side Al-Ahly. The violence on Saturday came at a time when unrest was sweeping Egypt on the second anniversary of the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak. Clashes marking the revolution's second anniversary on Friday left at least nine people dead and 530 injured. Egypt's interior minister was barred by angry anti-riot policemen from attending the funeral of two colleagues killed in clashes, the official news agency MENA reported. Dozens of policemen prevented Mohammed Ibrahim from entering the Cairo mosque where the funerals were held. The action was in protest at police not having been armed with live rounds to protect themselves, MENA said. The Muslim Brotherhood has accused opposition groups of "spreading sabotage," in the wake of violent protest that have gripped the country for the past two days. In a statement on Saturday, the Brotherhood said that the opposition's silence after attacks against its offices and Freedom and Justice Party headquarters amounted to them "gloating over Egypt and Egyptians," and accused opposition groups of supporting such attacks. The group also accused the media of misleading the public, "spreading hatred" against the regime and inciting "sabotage." Ahmed al-Boraie, vice president of the Dostour Party, rejected attempts to tie his party and other opposition parties to the violence, saying, "Neither us, nor Egyptians have any (connection to) the violence. It's the responsibility of the Cabinet." Unrest also gripped the city centre of the capital Cairo, where fresh clashes took place between security forces and protesters in the premises of the Ministry of the Interior. Army was deployed to protect the Suez Canal, amid reports that fire was opened on a ship carrying the Greek flag. Protesters had stormed a police station in Suez following fierce clashes with security forces, and freed prisoners there. They also took away the weapons that were left behind by policemen who fled the station as it was being stormed.