CAIRO (AA) – Egypt's cabinet declared an eleven-hour curfew in 14 provinces for a one-month period starting on Wednesday as political violence raged across Egypt.
Cabinet spokesman Sherif Shawqi said that the curfew – from 7p.m. to 6a.m. – would apply to the provinces of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Beni Sueif, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, North Sinai, South Sinai, Suez, Ismailia and Beheira.
A subsequent statement added the two provinces of Qena and Fayoum to the list.
Violators, Shawqi said, would face arrest.
Earlier Wednesday, interim President Adly Mansour also declared a month-long state of emergency.
In a statement, the presidency said the army was tasked with helping police "take any steps necessary to maintain security and order, protect public and private property and secure people's lives."
The state of emergency allows security forces to arrest citizens without charge and carry out searches of homes and vehicles without judicial permission.
The move came hours after security forces violently dispersed two sit-ins staged by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo and Giza early Wednesday morning.
