Egypt Officials Defend Deadly Crackdown

Authorities had to "restore security"

Egypt's interim PM Hazem Beblawi has defended the deadly operation to break up protest camps in Cairo, saying the authorities had to "restore security".

Mr Beblawi said it was not an easy decision to disperse the supporters of deposed president Mohammed Morsi.

The government, which has declared a nationwide state of emergency, said 235 civilians and 43 police were killed.

But the Muslim Brotherhood, which backed the protests, says more than 2,000 people died in the violence.