Violence continues in Egypt's clashes

Protestors stand in front of a wall built by troops to separate them from protesters, during clashes with riot police in central Cairo on Dec. 18, 2011 for the third straight day of violence. [Photo/Xinhua]

CAIRO, Egypt - A total of 103 security force members and three officers were injured when protesters hurled stones and Molotov cocktails in downtown Cairo on Sunday, the third consecutive day of violent clashes in the capital of Egypt.

Security forces established a new barricade to prevent protestors from reaching government buildings.

Some security force members threw stones from the rooftop of the Scientific Building that was attacked and set fire on Saturday to keep away protesters, who fled the scene carrying slogans against the use of force.

According to the latest statistics from Health Ministry, the clashes have left 10 protesters dead and 505 others injured, 81 of whom are still in hospital.

More than 200 suspects were arrested over the past two days and they were questioned over involvement in the incidents, official news agency MENA reported.

Secretary General of Arab League (AL) Nabil al-Arabi expressed on Sunday his deep regret over the violent acts Egypt was witnessing.

Arabi warned that the clashes would push Egypt towards a state of chaos, as well as political and security vacuum. He also expressed sadness over the huge number of casualties in these events.

The AL chief called for an immediate investigation to the incident to prevent further bloodshed, urging all political powers to show restraint.

The Culture Ministry's National Organization for Urban Harmony called on the military council, the cabinet and the interior ministry to protect historical buildings in downtown, after the Scientific Building was set ablaze.

The number of rescued books in the scientific building ranged between 20,000 and 25,000, said the head of the National Library and Archives Zain Abdel-Hadi, adding that the losses were still unknown.

Chief of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Hussein Tantawi visited the injured in the hospitals and listened to their complaints. SCAF will hold a press conference Monday on recent clashes.