Christians Under Attack

Reports say the victim was a Coptic Christian. Fifteen people were injured.

The violence began during a protest by Copts against last week's burning of a
church. Witnesses say the army fired into the air to disperse the crowds.

The clashes come two months after a suicide bomber killed 23 people at a
Coptic church in Alexandria.

In January, an Egyptian man was sentenced to death for shooting dead six
Copts and a Muslim policeman in Naga Hamady, southern Egypt.

'Harassment'

Tuesday's violence erupted when Coptic protesters blocked a highway in the
Egyptian capital, protesting against the burning of the church in the province
of Helwan.

The rally angered Muslims who wanted to pass through.

Witnesses say people from both sides then began throwing stones until the
army intervened.

The person who died in the clashes was a Coptic Christian, a hospital
official in Cairo was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Copts - who make up about 10% of Egypt's population - have often complained
of harassment and discrimination, and argue that attacks on them go unpunished
or result in light sentences.

The government in the predominantly Muslim country denies discriminating
against Copts