Police clash with Morsi supporters in Tahrir

CAIRO (AP):

Police swiftly swung into action yesterday to drive hundreds of supporters of Egypt's ousted Islamist president from Cairo's famed Tahrir Square, firing heavy tear gas to clear them from the central plaza barely minutes after they took it over.

Supporters of Mohammed Morsi stage near daily protests to demand his reinstatement, in Cairo and across much of the country. But for hundreds of them to enter and take over Tahrir, even briefly, constituted a major, albeit symbolic, propaganda coup for them.

like-minded protesters

They would have attracted many more like-minded protesters had they been able to gain a solid foothold in the square.

It was the first time in more than a year that Islamists entered the central square in significant numbers. The location has been the near exclusive domain of liberal and secular protesters since shortly after Morsi took office in June 2012 as Egypt's first freely elected president.

The clashes took place as a 50-member panel tasked with amending an Islamist-tilted constitution adopted under Morsi voted on the final draft clause-by-clause for the second consecutive day.

When that process is completed, the draft will be put to a vote in a nationwide referendum to be called by Interim President Adly Mansour.