Cairo Protests turn violent for second time in three days

Cairo - The violence in the Egyptian capital of Cairo continues, as nine people are injured after unknown attackers lobbed fire bombs and fired on protesters in Tahrir Square.

After the leaders of the National Salvation Front, an opposition organization, called for peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins in all of Egypt’s squares on Saturday, things turned deadly when at least seven people were killed and more than 770 were injured outside the presidential palace in Cairo. The demonstrations were organized to denounce Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's decree giving himself near absolute power and immunity from judicial oversight, as well as to call for his ouster. Supporters of the President also gathered, attacking the protesters with firebombs, guns and clubs according to Al-Jazeera. In response to the violence, Morsi issued a directive giving the army the same arrest powers as the police, a move he said was necessary to "maintain security and protect vital state institutions". The directive and past violence has not deterred those protesting Morsi's power grab however. According to Reuters, opponents of Morsi gathered in Tahrir Square on Monday for more street demonstrations. Chants of "the people want the downfall of the regime" could be heard just prior to the gun shots. Additional protests were held in Alexandria, and Assiut. Pro-Morsi supporters also held a protest on Monday to show support for the constitutional referendum to be held Dec. 15. Those injured in the violence were taken to a local hospital for treatment. There are no reports of fatalities at this time.