Protesters in Alexandria torched on Friday two buses which they claimed transported supporters of Sheikh Ahmed al-Mahallawi from several governorates to Alexandria, Aswat Masriya correspondent reported.

The also destroyed a fire engine that was trying to put the fire out.

Heavy smoke was seen near al-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque after violent clashes between Islamists and their opponents had erupted leaving 40 injured according to deputy Ministry of Health Mohamed al-Sharqawi.

A number of unidentified men destroyed a fire engine and prevented it from getting to the flaming buses, police brigadier Emad Kheir, director of Alexandria's civil protection department, said.

Minister of Interior Ahmed Gamal al-Din ordered today security officials in Alexandria to "firmly deal with rioters", the Ministry's official Facebook page said.

Thousands rallied at al-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque after Friday noon prayer in a demonstration called "Defending Scholars and Mosques" which the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi parties had called for.