Embassy violence

In the wake of protests at the Israeli embassy in Cairo that turned deadly and forced the Israeli ambassador to flee, Egypt has said it will send those who took part in the violence to an emergency state security court and confirmed its "total commitment" to protecting embassies in the country.

Israel's ambassador to Egypt fled Cairo after protesters forced their way into the country's embassy late on Friday.

Egypt will "take legal measures to transfer those in custody and those who are found to be involved in inciting or participating in (Friday's) events to the emergency state security court," Information Minister Osama Hassan Heikal said on Saturday.

On Friday, a large group of demonstrators gathered outside the embassy after separating from a pro-democracy protest in nearby Tahrir Square. Protesters broke down large sections of a security wall surrounding the premises, before entering the building.

Three civilians died and 1,049 suffered injuries in the violence, according to the Egyptian Health Ministry.

Committed to peace

Israel's ambassador to Egypt, Yitzhak Levanon, and his family left Cairo early on Saturday, Egyptian state television and the satellite channel Al Arabiya reported. The family left on a plane headed to Israel.

Friday night's unrest marked the second time violence erupted at the embassy. Last month five Egyptian border guards were killed during an Israeli operation against gunmen. That incident led to Egypt threatening to withdraw its envoy.

Israel is already engaged in a dispute over the treatment of Palestinians with Turkey, formerly one of the Jewish state's few Muslim allies.

The violence in Egypt represents another challenge for the Israeli government and has raised questions about the stability of the more than 30-year-old peace agreement between the two countries.

"Israel will continue to hold fast to the peace accord with

Egypt," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised remarks.

"We are working together with the Egyptian government to return our ambassador to Cairo soon," Netanyahu continued. "I would like to ensure that the security arrangements necessary for him and for our staff will be steadfast."

Obama to Egypt: honor international obligations

US President Barack Obama reacted swiftly late on Friday, calling Egypt to protect the embassy and "honor its international obligations."

The president had spoken by telephone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, officials said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the embassy attack and also called on the Egyptian authorities to meet their obligations.

"We have urged the Egyptian authorities to meet their responsibilities under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic property and personnel, including the Israeli embassy in Cairo," Cameron said in a statement.

"They have reassured us that they take these very seriously," he added.

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf had called a crisis cabinet meeting, Egyptian state media reported, with the country's Interior Ministry putting police on alert and canceling staff leave.

At least two police vehicles were set on fire by demonstrators outside the embassy, with more blazes lit in the street. Tanks were moved into the area.

Tear gas to disperse crowd

Officers were reported to have used teargas in an effort to break up the crowd that had gathered there by early morning.

Thousands of protesters had gathered earlier on Friday in Tahrir Square - the focal point of protests earlier this year that toppled the regime of former leader Hosni Mubarak.

Demonstrators voiced impatience over the perceived slow pace of reform by the interim military government.

Author: Richard Connor (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

Editor: Sean Sinico