Five die in sectarian clashes in Egypt

Clashes between Egyptian Muslims and Christians erupted early today in a town near Cairo, leaving at least five people dead, security officials said.

Investigators said they were waiting for autopsy reports to confirm how the men - four Christians and a Muslim - were killed in the small town of El Khusus, some 12 miles (20 km) north of the capital.

President Mohammed Morsi's office released a statement condemning the violence and "any actions aimed at disrupting unity and cohesion of Egyptian society."

Residents said the violence broke out yesterday when a group of Christian children were drawing on a wall of a Muslim religious institute.