Egypt police tear-gas Islamists near Cairo square

Egyptian police used tear gas Saturday to prevent Islamist students from entering a Cairo square that was site of a deadly security crackdown in August, a security official said. Groups of students tried to enter Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in the Nasr City district when they were stopped by police who fired tear gas to disperse them, the official said. Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares were sites of a bloody crackdown on August 14 against supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Hundreds of people were killed in the crackdown. The attempt to return to Rabaa al-Adawiya comes after Islamists staged anti-military protests on Friday in some Cairo districts and around the iconic Tahrir Square. Four people were killed when protesters clashed with their opponents and security forces. Islamists led by the banned Muslim Brotherhood have regularly tried to stage protests against the military-backed authorities since the army ousted Morsi on July 3. Morsi has been held in custody at an unknown location since his removal from office. On Sunday, as Egypt marks the 40th anniversary of the Arab-Israeli war, supporters and opponents of Morsi have called for rival demonstrations across the country, raising fears of fresh violence.