The presidential guard has ordered protesters to leave the area around the presidential palace by 3pm, presidential spokesperson Yasser Ali announced Thursday afternoon.

Presidential guard forces were deployed to the area early Thursday, following intense clashes on Wednesday and early Thursday.

Pro-Morsi supporters on Wednesday attacked a peaceful sit-in by opposition activists calling for the constitutional referendum on 15 December to be cancelled.  Six people have been reported killed and over 450 injured in the resulting violence.