Clashes ahead of Egypt vote

Egyptian Islamists brandishing swords have clashed with opponents of a draft constitution in the city of Alexandria as tensions rose on the eve of a referendum on the disputed charter that has plunged the country into weeks of turmoil.

At least 19 people were reported to have been injured in the violence in Alexandria, which broke out after an ultra-conservative cleric urged worshippers to vote “yes” and described the opposition as “followers of infidels”.