Watch related video of VOA's Sharon Behn in Cairo

video of VOA's Sharon Behn in Cairo

Watch related video of VOA's Sharon Behn in Cairo

CAIRO  After a few days of relative calm, violence overnight in Cairo between Egyptian police, backed by local residents, and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi left at seven dead leading to 260 people injured. Security forces have arrested 400 people for questioning over the violence.



The bloodshed came after supporters of Egypt's ousted president tried to block traffic at several key intersections and along an important Cairo bridge. Police and residents of nearby Giza stopped the protesters before they could cross that bridge.

Al-Ahram Online reported that some Morsi supporters were holed up at a mosque near Ramsis Square where violence first broke out. Witnesses say police fired tear gas to stop the protesters from reaching nearby Tahrir Square where Morsi opponents were camped out.