An Egyptian protestor carries a wounded fellow protestor during clashes with loyalists of the ruling military council near the defence ministry, the headquarters of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, in Cairo July 23, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

CAIRO - The number of people injured in clashes during Saturday's protests in Cairo rose to 296, official MENA news agency said on Sunday.

Assistant Health Minister Abdel Hamid Abaza said 196 were treated at the scene and 100 others were rushed to hospitals.

Eighteen were still in hospital while 82 had been discharged, he said. Most injuries ranged from wounds in the head, bruises or bone fracture.

The ministry put the number of the injured at 231 late Saturday.

Saturday's clashes occurred when protestors attempted to march toward the headquarters of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in the Abbasiya district in Cairo but were stopped by supporters of the army and military police.

Protestors have rallying in main squares in different cities since July 8 to express their anger over the government and the slow pace of reforms.

The SCAF said the troops and military police excersized self- restraint in dealing with protestors and accused the April 6 movement of sedition.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has urged all political powers to work for stability and achieve goals via dialogue.