A protest by Copts outside the American embassy was dispersed by the army during the early hours of today. Around 250 protesters stood outside the embassy to meet the ambassador and call for American intervention to end sectarian violence in Egypt.

Protesters were planning to continue their sit-in until the ambassador, Margaret Scobey, come to her office on Monday.

The protest came in response to the escalating sectarian violence. During the attacks in the Imbaba district of Cairo, two churches were burnt as well as the homes of Copts. This violent attacks have so far left 10 dead and around 186 injured.

Salafists claimed that a woman who converted to Islam was being detained in one of the churches.