[Ma'an] Islamists and their opponents threw stones, bottles and petrol bombs, and some fought hand-to-hand, showing how feelings still run high between the rival groups trying to shape the new Egypt after decades of autocracy, even though the streets have generally been calmer since Mursi's election in June.The Health Ministry said 110 people had sustained light to moderate injuries, state media reported.
A government is in place, but Islamists and liberals are at loggerheads over the drafting of the new constitution, which must be agreed before a new parliament can be elected.
Many of the thousands who gathered in Tahrir Square were angry at this week's court ruling that acquitted former officials charged with ordering a camel and horseback charge on protesters in the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
last year.
But even before that ruling, Mursi's opponents had called for protests against what they say is his failure to deliver on his promises for his first 100 days in office.
"Down, down with rule by the guide!" Mursi's opponents chanted, suggesting that Moslem Brüderbund leader Mohamed Badie pulls the strings even though Mursi officially quit the Brotherhood on taking office.
"Mursi! Mursi!" the president's backers responded.
Buses set on fire
Some demonstrators pulled down a temporary podium that had been erected on one side of the square for speeches. Later, Islamists took over the square, triggering scuffles in nearby streets as they tried to keep rival groups out.Two buses parked near the square were set alight. Witnesses said they had been used by the Brotherhood to bring in supporters.
"We went to protest against the constituent assembly and Mursi's failure in his 100 days, and Islamists prevented us and are now controlling the square," said Islam Wagdy, 19, a member of a group set up by leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahy.
A member of the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party dismissed that account. "What happened today was an attempt by the liberal powers ... to prevent Islamists expressing their views and protesting in Tahrir, which belongs to all Egyptians and not to a certain current," said the FJP's Ahmed Sobeih.
There was no intervention by police, who have often been the target of protesters' anger in the past because of their brutality against demonstrators in last year's revolt.
Alexandria
Demonstrators also gathered in Egypt's second city, Alexandria, where Mursi went to a mosque to perform Friday prayers before giving a speech there.
"We won't let anyone involved in corruption get away," he said, while urging protesters not to disrupt people's work. As he spoke, some chanted: "The people want the judiciary purged."