Egyptian protesters set a government building on fire during clashes with police, unseen, in Port Said, Egypt, Monday, March 4, 2013. Violence between police and protesters restarted Monday in the restive Suez Canal city of Port Said, as forces lobbed tear gas and birdshots at protesters who throw firebombs at a government complex, setting parts of it on fire. (AP Photo/Ahmed Ramadan)
Egypt's leader mulls army takeover of restive city
Egyptian protesters set a government building on fire during clashes with police, unseen, in Port Said, Egypt, Monday, March 4, 2013. Violence between police and protesters restarted Monday in the restive Suez Canal city of Port Said, as forces lobbed tear gas and birdshots at protesters who throw firebombs at a government complex, setting parts of it on fire. (AP Photo/Ahmed Ramadan)
By MAGGIE MICHAEL
Associated Press /
March 5, 2013
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CAIRO (AP) — Officials say the Egyptian president is considering whether to give the military full control of the restive city of Port Said after days of deadly street clashes stoked by excessive force used by riot police.
The officials say Mohammed Morsi met Tuesday with his security chief and top military officers to discuss pulling out the police and putting the military in charge of the Suez Canal city to defuse tensions.
The violence has killed at least three civilians and three policemen and injured hundreds since Sunday.
The military sent reinforcement to Port Said late Monday, after protesters torched a government building and police headquarters there.
The officials from the Egyptian military and the presidential office spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
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