Egyptian official indicates curfew to end Wednesday

Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim says he will boost security forces after state of emergency expires

Supporters of Egypt's ousted president Mohammed Morsi run for cover from tear gas fired by police (not seen), during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, on August 30, 2013 (photo credit: AP/Khalil Hamra)

Egypt’s interior minister has indicated that a curfew and state of emergency will expire on Wednesday as scheduled.

Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim told the official news agency Monday that he will boost security forces after the curfew is lifted “to tighten control and instill a feeling of confidence and security in citizens.”

Egypt imposed a curfew based on a state of emergency that was passed on August 14, when security forces violently dispersed two Cairo protest camps of supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi. Hundreds of people were killed and the days of unrest that followed left more than 1,000 dead.

It would require a public referendum to extend the state of emergency.

The curfew has been till 7 p.m. on Fridays and 1 a.m. on all other days.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

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