AP

CAIRO SUSPECTED supporters of Egypt’s military rulers attacked predominantly Islamist anti-government protesters outside the Defence Ministry in Cairo on Wednesday, setting off clashes that left 20 dead as political tensions rise three weeks before crucial presidential elections.

Protesters have been camped outside the Defence Ministry for days demanding an end to the military rule that replaced Hosni Mubarak, the long-time authoritarian leader ousted 14 months ago in a popular uprising.

Most of the protesters were supporters of disqualified presidential candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, an ultraconservative Islamist. He was barred from running because his late mother held dual Egyptian-US citizenship, something that rendered him ineligible under election laws.

Several presidential candidates announced the suspension of their campaigns, accusing the military rulers of failure to stop the bloodshed. Several key political parties, including the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, also boycotted a meeting with the ruling generals in protest. The meeting, however, went ahead as scheduled to discuss efforts to create a panel to draft a new constitution.