4 killed, dozens injured as Egypt protests turn violent

Thousands of Egyptian demonstrators gather outside the presidential palace in Cairo At least four people were killed and nearly 200 wounded on Sunday in clashes between supporters and opponents of Egypt\'s Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, security and medical sources said. All four victims were shot in the Nile Valley towns south of Cairo. One fatality was confirmed in Beni Suef and three in Asyut. Across the country, the health ministry said 174 people were given medical treatment as a result of factional fighting in the streets.
\"About 19 people were injured in Cairo, including 12 in Tahrir Square, two in Rabia al-Adawiya Square and five near the presidential palace,\" the health ministry\'s Yahya Moussa said, adding that another six were injured in similar protests in Alexandria governorate, three in Dakahlia, nine in Minufiya and four in Gharbiya.
Moussa noted that 20 had been treated and discharged from hospitals while 21 are still under treatment.
On the other hand, local reports said one person was injured in an explosion in Minya governorate in a pro-Morsi protest.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Presidential spokesman Omar Amer said Morsi was serious in his repeated calls for national dialogue.
\"(Morsi) announced to all of Egypt\'s people he made mistakes and that he is in the process of fixing these mistakes,\" Amer told a late-night news conference after millions took to the streets to demand Morsi leave power.
He added that Morsi had \"extended his hand\" for dialogue and wanted to listen to everyone, repeating the president\'s previous calls for national dialogue which the opposition has rebuffed as not serious.
\"I want to confirm one truth, if there is a total lack of response to this initiative, no one listening to it, no interest in it from any side, what do you think the presidency can do?\" the president\'s spokesman said.
\"The presidency is now waiting for a reaction, no matter how small, so it can build on it,\" he added.
Earlier in the day, the police arrested 18 gunmen on their way to the pro-Morsi protest held by Islamists in Rabia al-Adawiya Square in Nasr City of Cairo.
Meanwhile, scores of supporters of President Morsi, who had gathering in Rabaa al-Adaweya Square in Nasr City, left for the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Moqattam to protect the Guidance Bureau from Morsi’s opponents.
The rest of the pro-Morsi protesters staged a play in the square, denouncing the former regime and the Tamarod campaign. They announced that Yusuf al-Qaradawi, president of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, is joining them.
They closed all streets leading to the square and stood with sticks and knives to protect it.
Meanwhile in Moqattam, scores of anti-Morsi protesters staged a demonstration close to the Brotherhood headquarters, chanting slogans against the president and the supreme guide.
Earlier on Sunday, Morsi said that dialogue is the only way out of Egypt\'s political crisis.
\"Dialogue is the only way through which we can reach an understanding. The presidency is open to a real and serious national dialogue,\" presidential spokesman Ehab Fahmy told reporters.
He urged protesters to maintain \"the peaceful nature\" of their protest, pointing to the anti-Morsi rallies as proof of freedom of expression in Egypt.
Speaking during a press conference, Fahmy denied speculation that Morsi would appoint Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as prime minister or transfer similar powers to that of the president to him.
About West meditation, between Morsi and the opposition, Fahmy said that any West interference in this issue is unthinkable; pointing out that Egyptian people can solve their problems and will never accept any interference in their internal affairs.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s main opposition coalition group, the National Salvation Front NSF, issued a “revolutionary statement\" to comment on the ongoing mass rallies against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.
\"In the name of Egyptian people, the National Salvation Front announces public endorsement of ousting the regime of Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood,\" the statement read.
\"The Egyptian population continues their revolution and will impose their will, which has become unequivocally clear in all Egypt\'s squares. The Salvation Front also trusts that the people of Egypt will protect its revolution until peaceful transition of power is fulfilled. We call on all political forces and all citizens to remain peaceful and refrain from dealing with the failed Brotherhood government until the fall of this tyrannical organisation,\" the statement added.
NSF\'s announcement follows as hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered outside Morsi’s house in New Cairo Fifth District. Large numbers of security troops have been deployed around the house.
Protesters chanted against Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, calling on toppling the regime and holding early presidential elections.
Muslim Brotherhood said its Cairo headquarters came under attack on Sunday from scores of anti-government protesters firing shotguns and throwing petrol bombs and rocks.
Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said he was in contact by telephone with staff at the compound, who told him its \"fortified perimeter had not been penetrated.\"
Several provincial offices of the movement have been attacked in recent days.
Political forces are holding nationwide demonstrations to withdraw confidence from Morsi and hold early presidential elections.