A curfew was imposed overnight in Egypt's capital after 24 people, mostly Coptic Christians, died in clashes with security forces in the deadliest violence since president Hosni Mubarak's fall.

According to AFP, more then 200 people were injured in fighting that erupted during a protest by Copts on Sunday, October 9, prompting a curfew in central Cairo. At least five of the dead were mown down by a speeding army vehicle, a priest from the minority Coptic community said.

Some activists blamed government-backed provocation for the bloodshed which has triggered fears of worsening sectarian strife.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appealed for Egypt's Muslims and Christians "not to give in to sedition because it is a fire which burns up everybody".