Egyptians clash over Islamist governor

FILE - In this Friday, May 17, 2013 file photo, An Egyptian activist covers her face with an applications for "Tamarod", Arabic for "rebel", a campaign calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and for early presidential elections, during a protest in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this Friday, May 17, 2013 file photo, An Egyptian activist covers her face with an applications for "Tamarod", Arabic for "rebel", a campaign calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and for early presidential elections, during a protest in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

Published Jun 18, 2013

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Cairo - Clashes have erupted between supporters and opponents of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood over the recent appointment of an Islamist governor in a northern city.

Security forces fired tear gas to separate the two groups on Tuesday in the Nile Delta city of Tanta, an anti-Brotherhood stronghold.

The fighting broke out after opposition protesters chained up the gate to the new governor's office in a symbolic rejection of his appointment.

Brotherhood supporters, armed with homemade forearms, swords and knives, started shooting at the protesters to clear them away and let Gov. Ahmed el-Baylie into his office.

President Mohammed Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood, appointed el-Baylie on Sunday along with 16 other governors in an effort to consolidate power ahead of opposition protests on June 30 that will call for his ouster. - Sapa-AP

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