MUSLIMS set fire overnight to at least 10 houses belonging to Coptic Christians in a village in southern Egypt over rumours that a Christian resident had an affair with a Muslim girl, security officials said today.The officials said security forces sealed off the village of al-Nawahid in Qena province, about 465 kilometres south of Cairo, to prevent the violence from spreading to neighbouring towns. They said several people were arrested.
The attacks started after locals spotted a young Copt and a Muslim girl together at night inside the village cemetery, the officials said.
They said that both were put under police custody as authorities investigate.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the media.
The village was calm by nightfall, after religious leaders from both communities persuaded their followers to end the confrontation. Residents called on police to withdraw.