Violent clashes have broken out in
the Egyptian capital Cairo where defiant supporters of ousted President Mohammed
Morsi are staging a protest.
Running battles are taking place around the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque and several people have been injured, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville, who is at the scene.
Reports quoting medics say at least 16 people have been killed.
Overnight, huge rallies were held by supporters and opponents of Mr Morsi.
Many thousands occupied Cairo's Tahrir Square in support of the army, which removed Mr Morsi from office earlier this month.
Army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had urged people to take to the streets to give the military a mandate for its intervention.
In Egypt's second city Alexandria, at least five people were killed late on Friday when clashes broke out between rival factions, state media reported.
Then, early on Saturday, Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim said the sit-in protest by Morsi supporters at the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque in Cairo would be "brought to an end soon and in a legal manner".
He gave no details but said local residents had complained about the encampment.
Our correspondent says automatic gunfire can be heard and the area is being hit by barrages of tear gas.
Security forces appear to be forcing protesters closer to the mosque and ambulances are taking people to nearby hospitals, he adds.
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