CAIRO
Egypt's interim president Adly Mansour has the authority to declare a state of emergency or impose a curfew, a military spokesman told the Anadolu Agency late Friday.
At least 25 Egyptians have been killed and scores wounded in clashes across the country Friday between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohammad Morsi, bringing the death toll since last Sunday to 72 people.
Asked what would happen if clashes continued, the military spokesman said, "the decision will be in the hands of the interim president who can decide under his legal and constitutional authority to impose a curfew or declare emergency."
On whether Defense Minister Abdel Fatah al-Sisi can recommend declaring a state of emergency to the interim president, the spokesman asserted that the military chief "can make recommendations or suggestions but the decision is up to the president."
Twelve people were killed and 300 wounded in clashes between supporters and opponents of Morsi in the coastal city of Alexandria.
In downtown Cairo, three people were killed in clashes between Morsi supporters and opponents before army and police troops separated the two camps.
The Health Ministry said three people were killed by gunshots in the head and chest in clashes outside the Republican Guards headquarters where pro-Morsi protesters were assembling.
At least five police and army personnel were killed in separate attacks by unidentified gunmen in the North Sinai Governorate on Friday, security sources told the AA.
Two were killed by gunfire and 28 wounded in clashes between supporters of Morsi and police in the Upper Egypt city of Assiut, about 300 km (186 miles) south of capital Cairo.
Tens of thousands of Morsi loyalists have taken to the streets in Cairo and other governorates to protest his overthrow under an army roadmap for the future of Egypt, demanding his reinstatement.
