This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23073984
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Egypt's President Morsi warns unrest risks paralysis | Egypt's President Morsi warns unrest risks paralysis |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has warned that continuing unrest is "threatening to paralyse the country". | Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has warned that continuing unrest is "threatening to paralyse the country". |
| In a speech marking his first year in office, Mr Morsi acknowledged making some "mistakes" and offered opponents a say in amending the new constitution. | In a speech marking his first year in office, Mr Morsi acknowledged making some "mistakes" and offered opponents a say in amending the new constitution. |
| But the president also threatened those he saw as conspiring against him and trying to "sabotage" democracy. | But the president also threatened those he saw as conspiring against him and trying to "sabotage" democracy. |
| Troops have been deployed in cities across the country ahead of planned weekend protests demanding his removal. | Troops have been deployed in cities across the country ahead of planned weekend protests demanding his removal. |
| Ahead of Mr Morsi's speech, deadly clashes broke out in the northern city of Mansoura. | Ahead of Mr Morsi's speech, deadly clashes broke out in the northern city of Mansoura. |
| Two people were killed and 170 injured in fighting between supporters and opponents of the government, a health ministry spokesman said. | Two people were killed and 170 injured in fighting between supporters and opponents of the government, a health ministry spokesman said. |
| 'Radical measures' | 'Radical measures' |
| Mr Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, became Egypt's first Islamist president on 30 June 2012, after winning an election considered free and fair. His first year in office has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy. | |
| In his two-hour televised address on Wednesday evening, Mr Morsi defended his performance, admitting errors and promising immediate and radical reforms to address them. | In his two-hour televised address on Wednesday evening, Mr Morsi defended his performance, admitting errors and promising immediate and radical reforms to address them. |
| "I was right in some cases, and wrong in other cases," he said. "I have discovered after a year in charge that for the revolution to achieve its goals, it needs radical measures." | "I was right in some cases, and wrong in other cases," he said. "I have discovered after a year in charge that for the revolution to achieve its goals, it needs radical measures." |
| He apologised for the fuel shortages that have caused long lines at petrol stations and angered many Egyptians, and also for failing to involve the nation's youth enough. | He apologised for the fuel shortages that have caused long lines at petrol stations and angered many Egyptians, and also for failing to involve the nation's youth enough. |
| But despite Mr Morsi's initial conciliatory tone, the speech swiftly moved into a condemnation of those he blamed for Egypt's problems, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo reports. | But despite Mr Morsi's initial conciliatory tone, the speech swiftly moved into a condemnation of those he blamed for Egypt's problems, the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo reports. |
| "I took responsibility for a country mired in corruption and was faced with a war to make me fail," he said, naming several officials he believed wanted to "turn the clock back" to the Mubarak era, including politicians, judges and a journalists. | "I took responsibility for a country mired in corruption and was faced with a war to make me fail," he said, naming several officials he believed wanted to "turn the clock back" to the Mubarak era, including politicians, judges and a journalists. |
| "Political polarisation and conflict has reached a stage that threatens our nascent democratic experience and threatens to put the whole nation in a state of paralysis and chaos," he warned. "The enemies of Egypt have not spared effort in trying to sabotage the democratic experience." | "Political polarisation and conflict has reached a stage that threatens our nascent democratic experience and threatens to put the whole nation in a state of paralysis and chaos," he warned. "The enemies of Egypt have not spared effort in trying to sabotage the democratic experience." |
| Mr Morsi called on opposition figures to "enter elections if you want to change the government" and criticised them for refusing to take part in a national dialogue. | Mr Morsi called on opposition figures to "enter elections if you want to change the government" and criticised them for refusing to take part in a national dialogue. |
| The president said he would invite party leaders to meet on Thursday to choose a chairman for a committee that will prepare amendments to the constitution, approved in a referendum last year amid protests by secularists, liberals, women and minorities. He also said he was forming a committee of leading public figures to promote national reconciliation. | The president said he would invite party leaders to meet on Thursday to choose a chairman for a committee that will prepare amendments to the constitution, approved in a referendum last year amid protests by secularists, liberals, women and minorities. He also said he was forming a committee of leading public figures to promote national reconciliation. |
| "I say to the opposition, the road to change is clear," he added. "Our hands are extended." | "I say to the opposition, the road to change is clear," he added. "Our hands are extended." |
| Anti-government supporters had gathered in the capital's Tahrir Square and outside the defence ministry ahead of Mr Morsi's speech. | Anti-government supporters had gathered in the capital's Tahrir Square and outside the defence ministry ahead of Mr Morsi's speech. |
| The head of the army earlier warned it would not allow Egypt to slip into "uncontrollable conflict". | The head of the army earlier warned it would not allow Egypt to slip into "uncontrollable conflict". |
| Soldiers have been stationed in areas of the capital, Cairo, where pro-Morsi demonstrators are expected to gather following Friday prayers. | Soldiers have been stationed in areas of the capital, Cairo, where pro-Morsi demonstrators are expected to gather following Friday prayers. |
| Armoured trucks are lining the streets near Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque in the city's east, which has become a gathering point for Islamist protesters. | Armoured trucks are lining the streets near Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque in the city's east, which has become a gathering point for Islamist protesters. |
| Troops have also been deployed to protect the presidential palace - the scene of previous clashes - and other public buildings in Cairo. | Troops have also been deployed to protect the presidential palace - the scene of previous clashes - and other public buildings in Cairo. |
| Fuel shortages | Fuel shortages |
| Tensions in Cairo have been rising ahead of the demonstrations planned for the weekend, with counter-demonstrations by Islamists in support of Mr Morsi planned for the coming days. | Tensions in Cairo have been rising ahead of the demonstrations planned for the weekend, with counter-demonstrations by Islamists in support of Mr Morsi planned for the coming days. |
| There have also been acute shortages of fuel in the city, leading to huge traffic jams as well as long and sometimes bad-tempered queues at petrol stations, adding to the febrile atmosphere. | There have also been acute shortages of fuel in the city, leading to huge traffic jams as well as long and sometimes bad-tempered queues at petrol stations, adding to the febrile atmosphere. |
| Some Cairenes have begun stockpiling food in anticipation of street clashes between the two opposing political camps, with staples including canned goods, grains and frozen vegetables much sought after. | Some Cairenes have begun stockpiling food in anticipation of street clashes between the two opposing political camps, with staples including canned goods, grains and frozen vegetables much sought after. |
| Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said the army was obliged to stop Egypt plunging into a "dark tunnel", in remarks which were seen as one of the strongest interventions since the army handed over power to President Morsi last year. | Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said the army was obliged to stop Egypt plunging into a "dark tunnel", in remarks which were seen as one of the strongest interventions since the army handed over power to President Morsi last year. |
| Anti-Morsi activists say they have gathered 13 million signatures on a petition calling for the Islamist leader to step down. They want early presidential elections to be called to replace him. | Anti-Morsi activists say they have gathered 13 million signatures on a petition calling for the Islamist leader to step down. They want early presidential elections to be called to replace him. |
| His supporters say any move to unseat him now would be undemocratic. | His supporters say any move to unseat him now would be undemocratic. |
| Many analysts say the instability and a continuing threat of violence have frightened away foreign investors and tourists. | Many analysts say the instability and a continuing threat of violence have frightened away foreign investors and tourists. |
| There is increasing unemployment, particularly among the young, and the country's foreign currency reserves are falling. | There is increasing unemployment, particularly among the young, and the country's foreign currency reserves are falling. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |