The Egyptian interior ministry has denied asking President Mohamed Morsi to declare a state of emergency.

On Monday, an Egyptian newspaper claimed it had secret documents showing the homeland security department at the interior ministry had asked the president to declare a state of emergency to avert the outbreak of civil war.

The newspaper said, "After the Moqattam incident the homeland security department requested security measures to facilitate the arrest of activists and restrict the movement of opposition figures and Muslim Brotherhood leaders."

A spokesperson at the ministry said the news report was "false" and "shameful."

"The ministry asks the media to ensure the accuracy of the news it reports," the spokesperson added.

On 22 March, clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood outside the group's headquarters in Cairo's Moqattam and in several other cities. At least 200 people were injured.

The clashes erupted during opposition protests called in response to an alleged attack by Brotherhood members on anti-Brotherhood protesters outside the Islamist group's headquarters on 16 March.