Police and Christians clash in Egypt

Cairo, 25 Nov-(ANA)-Police in Egypt have clashed with hundreds of Coptic Christians over the construction of a new church.

One protester was killed and dozens of people were injured as police fired tear gas and the Christians threw stones and petrol bombs.

The Christians said they had permission to build the church, in Cairo's Giza district, but officials said they did not have the proper permit.

Egypt’s Christians make up about 10% of the country's 85 million population.

There has been friction in the past between the majority Muslims and Christians, who complain they do not have the same freedom to build places of worship.

"People here feel very discriminated against. We can't build the church - why are they stopping us?" said Samih Rashid.

"Every street has a mosque, every church has a mosque next to it," he told AFP news agency. (ANA)

FA/ANA/25 November 2010--------------