Egyptian protesters throw stones at a riot police armored vehicle during clashes outside the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt (Photo: AP)
Egyptian Interior Minister Ahmed Gamaleddin visited the parameters of the US embassy in downtown Cairo, which for the last three days has seen angry demonstrations against a controversial film that degrades Islam, state news agency MENA reported Thursday.
The minister inspected security forces deployed in the area, praising their efforts against what he called "protesters' provocations." He also called on security personnel to show restraint when dealing with demonstrators.
As of press time, anti-riot Central Security Forces (CSF) were driving protesters away from the US embassy using tear gas grenades. Protesters meanwhile hurled rocks in retaliation.
Within the last three days, at least 29 protesters have been reported injured in the vicinity of the US embassy.
According to Egypt's interior ministry, meanwhile, three police officers and 11 CSF conscripts have also been injured in the ongoing clashes.
Protests first erupted on Tuesday when thousands of Egyptian converged on the US embassy to register their opposition to a film made in the US that explicitly denigrates Islam and its prophet.
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