Egypt's President Morsi condemns deadly clashes in Cairo

Iran Press TV

Mon Apr 8, 2013 5:22AM GMT

Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi has condemned recent deadly clashes between Christians and Muslims that followed the funeral of four Coptic Christians in Cairo.

One person was killed and several others wounded in the capital on Sunday when clashes erupted outside the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral during the funeral ceremony.

"I consider any attack on the cathedral an attack against myself," Morsi said in a Sunday statement. The Egyptian president also called for "an immediate investigation" into the violence.

In a telephone call to Coptic Pope Tawadros II late on Sunday, Morsi said the "protection of all citizens, Muslims and Christians, is the responsibility of the state."

Violence between Christians and Muslims has left several people dead and nearly 70 injured in recent days.

On April 5, four Christian Copts and one Muslim were killed when the two sides started fighting in El Khusus, north of the capital.

The clashes erupted after Christian children drew a crucifix on the front wall of a Muslim religious institute in the Qalyubiyah governorate.

Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of over 85 million.

DB/HSN