Four people were killed and dozens were injured in clashes between protesters and police in Egypt's New Valley area, state media said Wednesday.

According to eyewitnesses, police fired gun shots at protesters in the oasis town of El Kharga, south of Cairo.

Provincial security chief Abdullah Saqr has been sacked and will be interrogated over recent incidents, state-run MENA news agency reported.

Mass anti-government protests entered their 16th day on Wednesday despite the ruling National Democratic Party's political reform measures and ongoing dialogue between the government and opposition groups.