Egypt’s Prime Minister Essam Sharaf held a crucial meeting today to discuss the clashes that erupted Saturday in the district of ‎Abbassiya. The meeting considered the expected ramifications of the violence so that the necessary steps could be taken to avoid escalations and ‎similar incidents in the future.‎
    
The meeting was attended by the ministers of interior, health, information and justice as well as other security officials.  ‎

Sharaf had called Saturday on all forces from across the political spectrum to cool tensions down. ‎

Alleged hired thugs, along with Abbassiya residents who believed their neighbourhood was under threat, confronted peaceful demonstrators heading ‎towards the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) headquarters to protest against Egypt's military rulers.‎

Ahram Online correspondents reported that the march was ambushed as the protesters were suddenly attacked from side ‎streets and rooftops by people throwing stones, empty bottles and glass.‎