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Egyptian leader's opponents, supporters clash

Published: December 5, 2012 Comment on this article

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's supporters and opponents have clashed outside the presidential palace in Cairo, pelting each other with rocks and fighting with sticks.

photo - Fireworks burst over Tahrir Square as protesters gather in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. A protest by tens of thousands of Egyptians outside the presidential palace in Cairo turned violent on Tuesday as tensions grew over Islamist President Mohammed Morsi's seizure of nearly unrestricted powers Thousands of protesters also gathered in Cairo's downtown Tahrir Square, miles away from the palace, to join several hundred who have been camping out there for nearly two weeks. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Fireworks burst over Tahrir Square as protesters gather in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. A protest by tens of thousands of Egyptians outside the presidential palace in Cairo turned violent on Tuesday as tensions grew over Islamist President Mohammed Morsi's seizure of nearly unrestricted powers Thousands of protesters also gathered in Cairo's downtown Tahrir Square, miles away from the palace, to join several hundred who have been camping out there for nearly two weeks. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

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Wednesday's clashes began when thousands of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on the area around the palace where some 300 of his opponents were staging a sit-in.

The opposition wants Morsi to rescind decrees giving him near unrestricted powers and shelve a dispute draft constitution.

Outnumbered by their attackers, the protesters were driven away from their sit-in location outside the palace's main gate and fled to side streets.

No casualties were immediately reported.

Reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei accused the president's supporters of a "vicious and deliberate" attack against peaceful demonstrators.