Egypt Stock Exchange Bourse down 5% after Deadly Clashes
Egypt's stock exchange dipped 5% within minutes of opening on Monday, following deadly clashes between protesters and security forces that left 24 people dead, most of them Coptic Christians.
The main EGX-index shed 207.31 points to reach 3,821.40 -- a drop of 5.15% -- a day after the deadliest clashes since a popular uprising ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February.
Security has been beefed up around the capital, amid fears of widespread sectarian unrest.
Egypt's political and economic outlook has been mired in uncertainty since Mubarak was ousted and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces -- a military junta led by Mubarak's longtime defense minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi -- took power.
Heightened frustration at the military rulers' handling of the transition has led to protests, strikes and sporadic clashes.
Egypt's Copts, who make up around 10 percent of the population, complain of systematic discrimination and have been the targets of frequent attacks.
Source: Agence France Presse
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