Death toll reaches 5 in Egypt clashes

CAIRO, EGYPT

Five people were killed during clashes on the streets of Egypt Friday, as public anger mounted at the ruling military over the deaths of dozens of fans at a soccer game this week.

Two demonstrators were killed in the port of Suez, while two protesters and an army officer died in Cairo, where violence erupted outside the interior ministry headquarters, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Egyptian Health Ministry.

The health ministry said the injury toll in clashes since Thursday had reached more than 1,700, Al Jazeera reported.

More on the violence in Egypt:

• Five die in Friday violence
• Two protesters killed by police
• Soccer deaths spark new unrest
• Egpyt paralyzed by protests
• Coach, players reconsider futures
• Assistant barely escapes violence
• Players choose retirement after tragedy
• Blatter asks for answers
• Bob Bradley offers his support
• FIFA president seeks to reinstate leaders

Amid the turmoil, the Egyptian Tax Authority building near the interior ministry was engulfed in flames Friday as the clashes persisted, AFP reported, citing state television.

Riot police traded tear gas with rocks thrown by protesters, who blame the country's ruling military for failing to halt a deadly stampede at a stadium in Port Said on Wednesday following the game between home team Al Masry and Cairo's Al Ahly.

The deaths of at least 71 people in the aftermath of the soccer game sparked outrage across the country.

Thousands of people had gathered in Cairo by Thursday evening, many demanding justice for the "martyrs" who lost their lives and calling for military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi to step down.

Barbed wire barriers were torn down and fires lit as confrontations with police developed.

In Tahrir Square, hundreds gathered for noon prayers, waving flags and chanting slogans against the ruling military council that took power when president Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February last year.

After the prayers, marchers set off from mosques around the capital and headed to the parliament, a few blocks away from the square.