Egypt's army denies using live ammunition amid reports protesters killed

The Egyptian army said on Friday that it did not use live ammunition against protesters backing Islamist President Mohammed Mursi amid reports that three demonstrators had been killed.

At least three people were killed and several wounded in a gunfight between the Republican Guard and pro-Mursi demonstraters, AFP reported.

An AFP correspondent said that two people’s bodies were covered with sheets and a third was shot in the head. However, a security source denied reports that there have been fatalities in the recent clash, Egypt TV reported.

Gunfire erupted near the headquarters of the Republican Guard in Cairo where pro-Mursi supporters had gathered to express their dissatisfaction over the military’s decision to oust the elected president.

Gun shots could be heard coming from both the Republican Guard and the demonstrators, said an AFP correspondent, adding that shooting began when a pro-Mursi protester attempted to hang a picture of the Islamist president on the barbed wire in front of the Republican Guard headquarters.

The correspondent said that the army warned the man twice not to get closer to the building before they opened fire.

The military is trying to disperse the crowd of pro-Mursi supporters with tear gas, Al Arabiya's correspondent reported.

The ousted president, who is in an undisclosed location, had called on his supporters to defend and protect his “legitimacy.” Meanwhile, the army said that the people have the right to peacefully protest but warned against acts of civil disobedience.

(With AFP)