2 Injured in Explosion Around Egypt’s Presidential Palace

Cairo (PNA/Xinhua) — At least two people were injured in an explosion near Egypt’s presidential palace in Cairo on Thursday night, state-run Nile TV reported.

Eyewitnesses said someone threw an explosive device from a car to the site and a policeman guarding the main gate of Quba Palace in Cairo was seriously injured in the explosion, according to website of state-run Al-Ahram newspaper.

However, according to the official MENA news agency, a number of people were injured during the explosion.

The police then formed a cordon and combed the area to search for other possible explosive devices.

On Thursday afternoon, tens of protesters set off fireworks near Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo and the anti-regime demonstration was dispersed by security forces, semi-official Al-Ahram online website quoted eyewitnesses as reporting.

Following former President Mohamed Morsi’s removal by the military in July 2013, a number of churches and public properties were burned and destroyed.

Meanwhile, anti-government attacks killed hundreds of police and military men in the Sinai Peninsula and other parts across the country, including Cairo.

Since Morsi’s ouster, the crackdown on his loyalists also left about 1,000 killed and thousands more arrested. (PNA/Xinhua) LGI/JSD