Cairo ultraconservatives protest Iranian tourists

Salafi demonstrators in Egypt consider Shiites heretics and fear Tehran is trying to spread its practices among Sunnis

CAIRO (AP) — Dozens of ultraconservative protesters threw rocks at the residence of Iran’s top diplomat in Cairo to protest the Egyptian government’s attempt to improve ties with Tehran.

The protesters are upset about Iranian tourists who arrived in Egypt this week on the first commercial flights between the two countries in 30 years.

Violence erupted Friday after protesters hung a green-striped Syrian rebel flag on the gates of the diplomat’s residence. The protesters chanted against Shiite Tehran’s support of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.

The Salafi protesters in Cairo, like other hard-liners in the region, consider Shiites heretics and fear Iran is trying to spread its practices among Sunnis.

Dozens of riot police stood guard around the diplomat’s residence to prevent protesters from storming the building.