At Least 24 Killed, 200 Injured in Cairo Riots; Worst Rioting in Egypt Since Mubarak's Ouster

At least 24 people were killed and more than 200 injured today (October 9, 2011) in Cairo, as clashes occurred by Christians -- angry over a recent church attack -- hard-line Muslims, and Egyptian security forces, according to the Associated Press website.

The rioting -- the worst in Egypt since Hosni Mubarak's ouster in February -- lasted late into the night, bringing out deployment of more than 1,000 security forces and armored vehicles to defend the state television building along the Nile River, where the trouble began.

An armored security van sped into the crowd, striking many protesters. Protesters retaliated by setting fire to military vehicles, a bus, and private cars, sending flames rising into the night sky.

Coptic Orthodox Christians -- who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million people -- blame the country's ruling military council for being too lenient on those behind a multitude of anti-Christian attacks since Mubarak's ouster as president of Egypt.