Protestors, police clash in Cairo

Artists and activists protesting against the influence of Islamists in Egypt's culture ministry clashed with religious supporters of the president on Tuesday (June 11), leaving several people wounded, witnesses and officials said.

President Mohamed Mursi, propelled to power by the Muslim Brotherhood, has faced repeated protests by non-Islamist groups during his divisive year in charge of the country.

Prominent film makers, writers and performers have camped out at the Cairo ministry for days, accusing Mursi's new culture minister of sacking respected officials with the intention of filling key posts with supporters - a charge denied by the ministry.

On Tuesday, riot police moved in to separate the protesters from hundreds of Islamists who gathered on the other side of the street.

The two sides shouted slogans at each other until parts of each crowd moved away to a nearby bridge and started fighting with stones and sticks, said witnesses.

.