Egypt's ruling party under fire over bread crisis

Cairo: Egypt's ruling party is coming under fire from opposition parties for its handling of the recent bread crisis.

The Egyptian government is scrambling to ease shortages for poor citizens who rely on subsidized bread. But some opposition MPs have said the long lines at bakeries are a sign that President Hosni Mubarak's government is failing.

The crisis has claimed seven lives as people fight in bread queues around the country, and it is a stark reminder of how rising world food prices are affecting poorer countries.

Mubarak has ordered the army to increase bread production to cope with the shortages; 10 large bakeries and about 500 kiosks have been opened by the government in recent days.