Offices of Egypt's ruling party set ablaze

Cairo, June 29 (IANS/AKI) Two offices of Egypt's ruling Freedom and Justice Party were set on fire in the northern port city of Alexandria and in Daqahliya governorate, a media report said.

In Alexandria, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated party's central offices in Sidi Gaber district were torched, while in Daqahliya, the party office in Aga city was set ablaze Friday, the Al-Ahram daily reported.

Islamist groups staged a rally in support of President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo, even as thousands of Morsi's opponents marched towards the city's central Tahrir Square, chanting against Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood and urging him to step down.

Clashes have taken place in several governorates - including Daqahliya, Sharqiya and Zagazig - which left three dead and scores injured in the past week.

Amnesty International has urged Egypt's authorities to refrain from unnecessary or excessive force against protesters, and to protect bystanders from violence and uphold the right to peaceful assembly.

Some 80 people have been killed during protests, mainly as a result of unnecessary and excessive force by security forces since Morsi took office a year ago.

--IANS/AKI

pm/vm