Egypt police fire tear gas at presidential palace protest

CAIRO, Dec 4, 2012 (AFP) –

Egyptian riot police on Tuesday fired tear gas at protesters approaching the presidential palace as thousands took to the streets to denounce a decree by President Mohamed Morsi expanding his powers.

The protesters cut through barbed wire erected a few hundred metres (yards) from the palace, prompting police to fire the tear gas before retreating, allowing demonstrators to reach the palace walls, AFP correspondents said.

Marchers continued to pour into the streets lining the palace in the upscale neighbourhood of Heliopolis, with riot police only able to guard entrances.

Tuesday’s protest is the latest in a string of action opposed to Morsi’s decree which expanded his powers and enabled him to rush through a draft constitution contested by liberals, leftists and Christians.