Scores Killed In Egyptian Protests

The deaths occurred amid rallies marking the third anniversary of the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt's Health Ministry has reported that at least 49 people were killed around the country on January 25 as the country marked the third anniversary of the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.

The Health Ministry's statement on casualty figures on January 26 nearly doubled the previously reported number of people killed during protests and clashes with police on the previous day.

The Health Ministry also reported that at least 247 people were injured.

The Interior Ministry also released a statement January 26 that said 1,079 people had been arrested during demonstrations on January 25.

Thousands of people turned out to demonstrate on that date, some in support of the current military-backed authorities running the country, others supporting detained former Islamist President Muhammad Morsi who was elected after Mubarak was removed from power, but was ousted by the Egyptian military last July.

In related news, Egyptian interim President Adly Mansour has announced that the country will hold a presidential election, before conducting parliamentary elections.

Mansour's announcement on January 26 changes the schedule for elections agreed to after the military deposed Islamist President Muhammad Morsi last July.

Parliamentary elections were to come first followed by a presidential election but the new constitution approved in a referendum earlier this month left it up to Mansour to decide which election should take precedence.

Mansour did not give any dates for the polls but did say presidential nominations would start soon.


Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters