20110509
reuters

Egypt stepped up security around churches in Cairo on Monday after two days of clashes between minority Christians and Muslims that killed 12 people and highlighted rising inter-faith tensions.

The violence that left a church wrecked by fire and more than 238 people wounded at the weekend was triggered by rumours that Christians had abducted a woman who converted to Islam.

The clashes pose a challenge for Egypt's new military rulers, under pressure to impose security and revive the ailing economy while seeking to avoid the tough security tactics against Islamists used by Hosni Mubarak.

A tight security cordon restricted access around Saint Mina church in Imbaba, the Cairo district where the clashes erupted on Saturday evening and extended into Sunday. Another church, Saint Mary's, was burned.

The army has said that 190 people arrested after the clashes would be tried in military courts over the violence.

Security sources said 15 other people were detained on Monday, including the alleged Muslim husband of the woman at the centre of the violence, as well as a Christian coffee shop owner. Both were blamed for starting the violence.

SALAFISTS, MUBARAK LOYALISTS BLAMED

In the northern city of Alexandria, dozens of Muslims and Christians gathered to condemn the Cairo violence.