Egyptian army orders protesters out of palace area

CAIRO (AP) - Egypt's Republican Guard has ordered protesters supporting and opposing President Mohammed Mursi to leave the area around the presidential palace that has been the site of fierce clashes.

The guard, an elite army unit, gave protesters on both sides until 3pm local time (1pm GMT, 9pm Singapore time) to clear the vicinity.

At least five people were killed in fighting between Islamist supporters of Mr Mursi and opponents calling on the leader to rescind decrees giving himself near-absolute power and cancel a disputed draft constitution that is to be put to a Dec 15 referendum.

Thursday's ultimatum comes in an official statement that also announced a ban on protests outside any of the nation's presidential palaces.