One Egyptian man was killed and at least 26 were injured in clashes on Monday between supporters and opponents of the ousted President Mohamed Morsi, state television reported.At the same time, the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram's website reported three were killed in similar clashes north of Cairo.
Near Cairo's Tahrir Square, the opposing camps threw stones and shot fireworks at each other as security forces fired tear gas to try to disperse them, witnesses said.
The Monday violence took place when several hundred pro-Morsi protesters were marching toward the US Embassy to hold a demonstration against alleged American meddling in Egypt's affairs, the official said. The march passed an entrance to Tahrir Square manned by anti-Morsi protesters, and the two sides pelted each other with rocks. Gunfire was heard, but it was not clear who was firing.
Armored vehicles moved and blocked the road, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
The Muslim Brotherhood has staged daily protests across the country since Morsi was deposed on July 3, demanding his reinstatement.
Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers are calling for the release of Morsi. The ministers called in a joint statement Monday for "the release of all political detainees, including Mohammed Morsi" and listed it among their key priorities for the new leadership in Cairo.
The 28 EU ministers insisted Egypt must quickly move to an "inclusive democratic transformation process," including elections at the earliest possible time.