Egypt arrests 30 in Muslim-Copt clashes

 
Clashes erupt as Muslim residents protest plans to increase size of Church tower, put bell.

 
CAIRO - Thirty people were arrested on Wednesday after Muslims and Coptic Christians clashed over the building of a church tower in a village in southern Egypt, a security official said.

Three people were injured in the clashes which broke out late on Tuesday in Al-Badraman, in Minya province.

Muslim residents began hurling stones at Christian construction workers after hearing that the church was planning to increase the size of its tower and put in a bell, the official said.

"Thirty people were arrested on the spot," the official said.

The Copts, the Middle East's largest Christian community, make up six and 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million.

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