French reporter ‘savagely attacked’ in Cairo

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.

The channel, funded by the French government, said in a statement on Saturday that correspondent Sonia Dridi was attacked around 10:30pm (local time) 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 would file a suit against unspecified assailants. The network and the French embassy are working to bring the correspondent home.

Tahrir Square was the epicentre 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 Mohamed Morsi.