Calm Returns To Cairo After Overnight Curfew

Antimilitary protesters help a wounded demonstrator during clashes in the Abbassiya district of Cairo on May 2.

Calm has returned to Cairo after Egypt's military rulers imposed an overnight curfew around the Defense Ministry following clashes between troops and protesters that killed one police officer.

Police say more than 170 protesters were arrested in the clashes on May 4 as police used water cannon, tear gas, and live ammunition to halt protesters as they marched on the ministry demanding an immediate end to military rule.

The Health Ministry said 128 people were wounded, state news agency MENA reported.

The injuries included tear-gas inhalation and cuts and bruises, some serious, and 82 people were taken to hospital.

The fresh clashes comes just two days after 11 people were killed in fighting in the same area.

The Defense Ministry has also been the site of daily protests by supporters of a disqualified Islamic presidential candidate, Hazem Abu Ismail, a lawyer-turned hard-line preacher.

The Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 18 journalists have been assaulted, injured, or arrested in the past three days while covering the Cairo clashes.

The unrest in Egypt comes with the country scheduled to hold presidential elections in just three weeks.

With reporting by Reuters and AP