Alastair Beach sees gang attack cathedral during funeral for five killed in clashes.
Hundreds of Christians were inside Cairo's Coptic Cathedral as security forces and local residents, some armed with handguns, launched a prolonged attack on the seat of Egypt's ancient Church.
At least one person was killed and at least 84 injured as Christians inside the walled St Mark's cathedral compound came under a frenzied assault from assailants on the main road outside. The fighting erupted after a mass funeral for five Copts who were killed during violent clashes in a north Egyptian town on Sunday. A Muslim man also died in the clashes, which happened after an Islamic institute was daubed with offensive graffiti.
Following yesterday's service thousands of Christians poured out on to the street and began chanting slogans against Mohammed Morsi, the Egyptian President.
Morsi said he had spoken to Pope Tawadros II, the leader of the Coptic church, and had given orders for the cathedral and citizens to be guarded.