Egypt’s president tonight declared a 30-day state of emergency and night curfew in the three Suez Canal provinces hit hardest by the wave of violence that has left more than 50 dead in three days.

Overnight clashes in Cairo between supporters and opponents of Egypt's Islamist leader have killed at least five people, according to state television.

A protest by at least 100,000 Egyptians outside the presidential palace in Cairo turned violent today as tensions grew over Islamist president Mohammed Morsi’s seizure of nearly unrestricted powers and a draft constitution hurriedly adopted by his allies.

The military council in Egypt has issued its second statement in three days calling for an immediate halt to all labour unrest.