Egypt eases curfew as unrest subsides

Authorities in Egypt have eased a curfew imposed following the forcible dispersal of pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-ins in Cairo 10 days ago. A statement from the interim cabinet on Saturday said Egyptians were now permitted to stay outdoors until 9pm local time instead of the previous 7pm, except on Fridays, which have been a focus for protests. The curfew, imposed on 14 governorates on 14 August, was relaxed after rallies by supporters of deposed president Mohammed Morsi on Friday witnessed less violence and drew fewer protesters than previous Friday demonstrations. Morsi was ousted by the Egyptian military on July 3, following mass demonstrations. Rival demonstrations have resulted in casualties, and hundreds of Morsi supporters were killed when security forces cleared sit-ins in Cairo on 14 August.