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Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Mass protests calling for the resignation of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi and early presidential elections are gripping the capital, Cairo, and other cities. | |
His opponents say he has failed to tackle economic and security problems. | His opponents say he has failed to tackle economic and security problems. |
Thousands spent the night in Cairo's Tahrir Square, focus of protests which brought down ex-leader Hosni Mubarak. | Thousands spent the night in Cairo's Tahrir Square, focus of protests which brought down ex-leader Hosni Mubarak. |
Supporters of Mr Morsi, who became the country's first Islamist president a year ago, are also rallying. | Supporters of Mr Morsi, who became the country's first Islamist president a year ago, are also rallying. |
Morsi critics also say he has put the Islamist agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country's wider interests. | Morsi critics also say he has put the Islamist agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country's wider interests. |
In Cairo, the anti-Morsi supporters are chanting: "Irhal! Irhal!" ("Leave! Leave!"), reports the BBC's Aleem Maqbool. | In Cairo, the anti-Morsi supporters are chanting: "Irhal! Irhal!" ("Leave! Leave!"), reports the BBC's Aleem Maqbool. |
Demonstrations are being reported across the country | Demonstrations are being reported across the country |
Windows in the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo were reinforced with sandbags ahead of the protests, the BBC's Mohamed Assad reports. | Windows in the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo were reinforced with sandbags ahead of the protests, the BBC's Mohamed Assad reports. |
A huge rally of presidential supporters is also under way in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City. | A huge rally of presidential supporters is also under way in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City. |
People there are carrying banners denouncing the opposition, and warning that "legitimacy is a red line". | People there are carrying banners denouncing the opposition, and warning that "legitimacy is a red line". |
Some are wearing banners saying that they are willing to be martyrs for the cause of keeping the president in power. | Some are wearing banners saying that they are willing to be martyrs for the cause of keeping the president in power. |
Society split | Society split |
When four Egyptian army Apache helicopters flew over the crowds in Tahrir, anti-Morsi demonstrators cheered. | When four Egyptian army Apache helicopters flew over the crowds in Tahrir, anti-Morsi demonstrators cheered. |
The chants in the square alternate between humorous songs and angry protestations, all calling for the president to step down. | The chants in the square alternate between humorous songs and angry protestations, all calling for the president to step down. |
Egyptians have been talking about this day for many weeks - with the opposition vowing not to leave until Mr Morsi steps down and calls early presidential elections, our correspondent says. | Egyptians have been talking about this day for many weeks - with the opposition vowing not to leave until Mr Morsi steps down and calls early presidential elections, our correspondent says. |
But supporters of Mr Morsi point out that he was elected and say he should see out his full term in office, so there is a real split in Egyptian society at the moment, he adds. | But supporters of Mr Morsi point out that he was elected and say he should see out his full term in office, so there is a real split in Egyptian society at the moment, he adds. |
Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed a petition seeking a snap election. They have urged the signatories to turn up in Tahrir Square. | Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed a petition seeking a snap election. They have urged the signatories to turn up in Tahrir Square. |
The grassroots movement Tamarod (Rebellion) is behind the petition, which has united liberal and secular opposition groups, including the National Salvation Front. | The grassroots movement Tamarod (Rebellion) is behind the petition, which has united liberal and secular opposition groups, including the National Salvation Front. |
However, many ordinary Egyptians - angered by Mr Morsi's political and economic policies - are also taking part in the rally in Tahrir, where there are plans to march on the presidential palace. | However, many ordinary Egyptians - angered by Mr Morsi's political and economic policies - are also taking part in the rally in Tahrir, where there are plans to march on the presidential palace. |
Hanan Bakr, who travelled specially from Dubai where she lives, to join the "second Egyptian revolution", told the BBC: "I'm hoping to stay on the streets until the whole regime of the Brotherhood is brought down." | Hanan Bakr, who travelled specially from Dubai where she lives, to join the "second Egyptian revolution", told the BBC: "I'm hoping to stay on the streets until the whole regime of the Brotherhood is brought down." |
"If Egypt falls under Islamist extremism, this will affect the whole region," the demonstrator said. | "If Egypt falls under Islamist extremism, this will affect the whole region," the demonstrator said. |
President Morsi earlier this week offered a dialogue - a move rejected by his opponents. | President Morsi earlier this week offered a dialogue - a move rejected by his opponents. |
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. | 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 as president has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy. | His first year as president has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy. |
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. |
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