Egyptian Islamists and opponents clash before final vote on constitution

[alp227]

Source: AP

Thousands of Islamists have clashed with their opponents in Egypt's second largest city, Alexandria, a day before the second leg of voting on a proposed constitution that has deeply polarised the country.

Riot police swung batons and fired volleys of teargas to separate the stone-throwing crowds, made up of Muslim Brotherhood members and ultraconservative Salafis on one side, and youthful protesters on the other. The clashes started when the two groups met just after Friday afternoon prayers near the city's main mosque.

The demonstrators, some of whom carried black Islamic battle flags, withdrew from the mosque area under a heavy cloud of teargas some two hours after the clashes began. Fighting continued along the coastal road of the Mediterranean city, near the medical school and famed Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

At least 42 people were being treated for injuries, with some rushed to the hospital, a city health official said.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/21/egyptian-islamists-clash-referendum-constitution

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. Happy voting day!

I anticipate approval of the constitution, probably with a higher percentage than last week's 56%. The vote today is supposedly in more conservative areas of the country.