By AP
CAIRO: A security official says Christians and Muslims have clashed in southern Egypt over the construction of a church.
A local security chief, Assem Hamza, said Muslim residents of the Awlad Khalaf village rallied Saturday outside Christian-owned land where construction of a church was under way.
Hamza said the construction was illegal. Security forces deployed as Muslim residents, including ultraconservative Salafis, moved in with bulldozers to try to bring down the construction.
Hamza said Christians fired gunshots and the two sides scuffled. Three Muslims were shot, including one in serious condition. A Christian has stab wounds.
