A riot broke out in Cairo earlier today as Egyptian police moved in to break up protests expressing rage at Algerian attacks on Egyptian football fans. The violence followed a loss by Egypt's soccer team to Algeria in a play-off to reach the World Cup finals. Protesters had gathered near the Algerian embassy, which has been cordoned off by Egyptian security forces for days, as tension between the two rivals simmered during two recent World Cup qualifying matches.

At around 1 am today, police charged into the crowd of protesters, sending them fleeing in all directions. Shortly after, running battles took place between police and the protesters - who hurled stones, damaging several police vans.

According to eyewitness accounts, a number of protesters were injured. Such rioting is unusual in Egypt - where the security forces tightly control public order. Many of the young men taking part had gathered spontaneously, as word of the demonstration spread, chanting anti-Algerian slogans and vowing revenge for the Algerian attacks.

Protesters had been dispersed in Zamalek but there were reports of isolated unrest in other parts of Cairo. - Reuters