After celebrating the Port Said football case verdict at their club’s stadium, Ahly Ultras headed to the vicinity of the Ministry of Interior located close to Tahrir Square. Hundreds of the hardcore football fans started protesting, demanding that security officials accused of killing members of the Ultras are held accountable. Clashes erupted as the Ultras neared the Ministry of Interior headquarters. The police fired tear gas at the protesters. Port Said Criminal Court handed on Saturday the death sentence to 21 defendants in a case concerning the massacre of Ahly fans at a football game in the city. Accused security officials were not part of the 21 condemned. Seventy-three defendants, including nine security officials, three Masry Football Club officials and a number of fans, are on trial for their suspected role in Egypt’s worst-ever football tragedy. More than 70 Alhy fans died in the violent attack 1 February 2012. It is widely believed that security, both military and police, let the football massacre happen allowing Port Said’s Masry team fans to storm the stadium stands of Ahly fans. Ultras have often clashed with police during demonstrations as well as during football matches. Many Ultras members have died durnig clashes.

Egypt’s National Defense Council has called for all political powers to participate in a broad national dialogue mediated by neutral figures in a move to end ongoing political tension in the country.

The move comes after dozens of people were killed in protests across the country Friday and Saturday. Protesters condemning President Mohamed Morsy’s government on the anniversary of the 25 January revolution, as well as those protesting death sentences for 21 defendants in the Port Said football violence trial, clashed with security forces in several cities.

The council, which consists of the highest military and security officials in the country, has also for a curfew or state of emergency in the areas worst-hit by violence, according to a statement read by Information Minister Salah Abdel Maqsoud live on state TV.

Earlier, state TV had reported that Morsy had held a meeting with council members to discuss the violence that erupted during Friday’s protests commemorating the second anniversary of the 25 January revolution.

Article 197 of the Constitution states that the National Defense Council is presided over by the President and includes the speakers of the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, the prime minister, the defense, foreign affairs, finance and interior ministers, the General Intelligence Service chief, the Armed Forces chief of staff, the head of Military Intelligence and the commanders of the army, navy, air force and air defense.

In its statement, the council also said that the proposed national dialogue will also agree on standards for free and fair elections.

Egypt’s opposition National Salvation Front threatened on Saturday to boycott upcoming parliamentary polls if Morsy does not field a comprehensive solution to the country’s ongoing political split. The front, a coalition of leftist and secular parties opposing the ruling Islamists, has called for the creation of a “national salvation” government.

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