Cairo — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared a month-long state of emergency in three cities along the Suez Canal where dozens of people have been killed over the past four days in protests that his allies say are designed to overthrow him.

In an address on state television Sunday evening, Morsi said the emergency measures would come into effect in the provinces of Port Said, Suez and Ismailiya "for 30 days starting at midnight (2200 GMT Sunday)".

Curfews would be imposed on the same three provinces from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am, he added and he warned he would take further steps to confront threats to Egypt's security if need be.

Morsi also invited opposition politicians to a "national dialogue" meeting on Monday.

Seven people were shot dead and hundreds were injured in Port Said on Sunday during the funerals of 33 people killed there when locals angered by a court decision went on the rampage as anti-government protests spread around the country.