Egyptian security forces kill eight Muslim Brotherhood members in shootout

CAIRO -- Egyptian security forces killed eight militants they identified as members of the Muslim Brotherhood in a shootout in the country's south, the interior ministry said on Monday.

An interior ministry statement said those killed included Helmi Saad Masri, whom it described as a prominent Brotherhood leader.

The statement did not identify the exact location of the shootout but said police came under heavy gunfire while trying to approach the group and had to respond with force.