CAIRO (AP): A security official says authorities have detained 23 people in connection with recent clashes between Muslims and Christians, including two people suspected of sparking riots over the weekend that left a Cairo church torched and 12 people dead.

The official says Monday's arrests bring the total number of people detained following the sectarian violence to more than 200. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to brief the media.

The clashes push relations between Muslims and minority Christians to a new low, and further deepen the tumult of Egypt's already chaotic post-revolution transition to democracy.

Also Monday, hundreds of Christians are continuing their sit-in outside Egypt's state TV building, saying they fear an Islamic state is in the making.