Egypt - Egypt has tightened security amid concerns of new protests by Copts in the wake on an attack on a Coptic church in the northern city of Alexandria, which killed 21 people on New Year's Day.

Police forces are on high alert and have set new checkpoints across the country, following overnight clashes at Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral -- headquarters of Coptic leader Pope Shenouda III -- during which 45 policemen were wounded, AFP reported on Monday.

Security forces have cancelled leave for senior officers and tightened surveillance of airports and ports to prevent suspects from leaving the country.

Security was also to be beefed up at churches for Coptic Christmas which Copts celebrate on January 7, security officials said.

The attack on Coptic al-Qiddissin church sparked angry street protests in the city by Christians. They accuse authorities of not doing enough to protect Copts, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million.

Overnight clashes erupted as the protesters pelted with stones a minister who had come to visit the pope and heckled government officials, while other demonstrators blocked off four main streets in Cairo before police dispersed them.

A health ministry official said another 27 people were wounded.

The violence died down on Monday, but witnesses said about 50 protesters carrying wooden coffins also staged a brief demonstration in central Cairo.

About 30 other protesters prevented a construction crew from repairing damage at the site of the blast, saying the blood of the victims should remain to bear testimony to the attack, witnesses said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the Alexandria attack, but President Hosni Mubarak blamed "foreign hands" for the attack.

SB/AKM/MMN

originally published in Press TV