Fierce clashes between government proponents and opponents were reported in Egypt's northern city of Alexandria late Friday and are likely to continue into the early hours of Saturday, as the country is set to undergo soon the referendum of a controversial draft constitution written mostly by Islamists.

The clashes first broke out near a mosque in the Mediterranean coastal city earlier on Friday. Police resorted to teargas when the rift turned violent late in the evening.

But there are no immediate reports on casualties.

The two blocs of people were at odds over the forthcoming referendum on the draft constitution, which has recently caused controversy in the country and led to bitter division between liberals and Islamists.

Egypt's main opposition bloc, the National Salvation Front, has announced Wednesday that they would take part in the referendum, but would say "No" to the draft constitution, despite their long- time calls for postponing the public vote.

Late in November, the 85 members of the beleaguered Constituent Assembly approved the draft constitution after a 17-hour marathon vote.