American Killed in Egypt Violence Named as Andrew Pochter

A young American killed during violent clashes in crisis-hit Egypt has been named as student Andrew Pochter.

Pochter, 21, died in Alexandria on Friday 28 June, during violence between police and protesters angry at the country's hard-line Islamist President, Mohammed Mursi.

Pochter was a student at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He was in Egypt working as an intern for US-based NGO called AMIDEAST.

According to hospital sources, Pochter was shot dead. But local media said he was stabbed to death while taking pictures.

His family were reported to come from Maryland, but other sources claimed Pochter was from Chevy Chase.

Distraught relations told media he was in the country to improve his Arabic language skills and "because he cared profoundly about the Middle East".

"Andrew was a wonderful young man looking for new experiences in the world and finding ways to share his talents while he learned," they said.

It emerged Pochter taught english to young children in Egypt ahead of going to study in Jordon, early next year.

Pochter had visited Morocco in north Africa two years ago, soon after leaving Bethesda-Chevy Chase high school.

Pochter was one of two people killed in Alexandria during violence ahead of a major demonstration against President Mursi planned for Sunday. An Egyptian man died from a gunshot wound to the head, hospital sources said.

Up to 1 million people are expected to take to the streets of capital city Cairo on Sunday to protest against President Mursi.

In response to mounting chaos, the US government has begun withdrawing its officials from its Cairo embassy.

President Obama, who is in South Africa, warned American citizens against travelling to Egypt.

"Political unrest, which intensified prior to the constitutional referendum in December 2012 and the anniversary in 2013 of Egypt's 25th January Revolution, is likely to continue in the near future due to unrest focused on the first anniversary of the president's assumption of office," said the State Department.

"Participants have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and security forces have used tear gas and other crowd control measures against demonstrators. There are numerous reports of the use of firearms as well."

More than 70 people had been injured in the clashes in the city, adding to growing tension ahead of mass rallies on Sunday aimed at unseating President Mohamed Mursi, claimed a government spokesman.