Cairo reporter ’savagely attacked’

PARIS - The Associated Press

AA photo

France 24 TV says its correspondent in Cairo was "savagely attacked" near Tahrir Square after being seized by a crowd shortly after a live news report, AP reported.

The state-funded, independent news channel said in a statement Saturday that correspondent Sonia Dridi was attacked around 10:30 p.m. a day earlier. It said she was later rescued by a colleague and other witnesses.

France 24 said its employees were safe and sound "but extremely shocked" and that it will file suit against unspecified assailants. The network and the French Embassy are working to bring the correspondent home.

Tahrir Square was the epicenter of a popular uprising that toppled longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak last year. It remains a key demonstration site for both allies and critics of new President Mohammed Morsi.