ilario cornflower: 7 dead, 261 injured as Morsi supporters battle security forces in Cairo

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

7 dead, 261 injured as Morsi supporters battle security forces in Cairo

NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports from Cairo where clashes between police and supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi turned deadly overnight.

By Henry Austin and Ayman Mohyeldin, NBC News

CAIRO -- Seven people were killed as violence erupted overnight between supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi and Egyptian security forces, a medical official said Tuesday.?

The clashes in at least three parts of Cairo also left 261 injured, according to authorities. Reuters cited Egypt's state news agency as saying 401 people had also been arrested overnight.

The street battles were the bloodiest since more than 50 Morsi supporters were killed on July 8.

Hussein Malla / AP

Supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi throw stones during clashes in downtown Cairo, Egypt, on Monday.

Morsi, who was democratically elected a year ago, was ousted by Egypt's military in the wake of massive opposition protests. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has described the military's action as a coup.

Tuesday's clashes came as a senior U.S. envoy visited Egypt, saying it had been given a "second chance" at democracy.

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met interim leaders but was snubbed by rival groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood and representatives from the Tamarod, the group behind the protests that toppled Morsi.

"Only Egyptians can determine their future," Burns told reporters at the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. supports Egypt with $1.5 billion in aid annually.

However, that aid?was formally put under review last week in the wake of the military-backed power shift.

U.S. law requires that aid be cut off to a country that undergoes a military coup, but Western leaders have stopped short of declaring the July 3 transition a coup.

Reuters contributed to this report. Henry Austin reported from London.