Police arrest 40 protesters at Islamist rallies

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian police have arrested 40 supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood during protests after Friday prayers in Cairo and Egypt’s second city Alexandria, Egyptian security officials said.

The officials say protesters shouted slogans against the police and armed forces and blocked traffic in scattered marches in Alexandria after Friday prayers. Those arrested were in possession of “incendiary leaflets,” fireworks, digital cameras and a laptop, police said. Security forces said police also found buckshot rounds and a knife on demonstrators arrested in Giza, a district of the capital. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to brief reporters.