Egypt: Nearly 50 killed on third anniversary of 2011 uprising

Extra security measures were in place yesterday as Egyptian Interior Minister Muhammad Ibrahim urged Egyptians not to be afraid to go to events marking the anniversary of the uprising.

Thousands of supporters of the military and the government gathered in high-profile locations including Tahrir Square - the focal point of the 18-day popular revolt in 2011, the BBC reported.

Participants waved Egyptian flags and banners showing army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whom many urged to run for president.

Meanwhile yesterday, an army helicopter crashed in the restive Sinai peninsula, with an unconfirmed report that it was shot down by militants, killing its crew of five soldiers.  

A large car bomb exploded near a police building in Suez, at the southern entrance of the Suez canal, with reports that nine people were injured.

At least 18 people died in violence on Friday.  

Three years on from an uprising that raised hopes of political reform in the Arab world's most populated country, rival demonstrations are showing the deep divisions.