Six dead as Egypt police clash with protesters

At least six people were killed on Friday in clashes between pro-Islamist protesters and Egyptian police in Cairo, the health ministry said.

Supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi had held small marches after the morning prayers for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Police officials said the protesters attacked security forces stationed in Cairo’s Talbiya district near the Giza pyramids.

The health ministry did not give a breakdown of those killed.

Pro-Morsi protests have dwindled since his ouster by the military in 2013, which led to a massive crackdown on Islamists that killed at least 1,400 people in street violence.

Hardcore supporters continue to hold small protests that are often confined to one or two Cairo neighbourhoods.

Demonstrations have largely given way to militant attacks, often small bombings and attacks on infrastructure such as electricity towers.

In the Sinai Peninsula, jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State group have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in an insurgency since Morsi’s overthrow.

Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted and thousands of its sympathisers have been jailed.

Hundreds, including Morsi, have been sentenced to death. Most have appealed the verdicts and won retrials.