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-23115821
The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 12 | Version 13 |
---|---|
Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities | Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Huge protests calling for the resignation of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi and early presidential elections are taking place in the capital, Cairo, and other cities. | |
Tens of thousands of opponents have massed in Tahrir Square and outside the main presidential palace. | |
Protesters accuse Mr Morsi of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking power a year ago. | |
A presidential spokesman urged them to respect the democratic process. | A presidential spokesman urged them to respect the democratic process. |
Morsi supporters massed in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City with banners denouncing the opposition. | Morsi supporters massed in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City with banners denouncing the opposition. |
The president's critics say the country's first Islamist president has put the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country's wider interests. | The president's critics say the country's first Islamist president has put the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country's wider interests. |
In Cairo, they have been chanting: "Irhal! Irhal!" ("Leave! Leave!"), reports the BBC's Aleem Maqbool. | In Cairo, they have been 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. | |
Some Morsi supporters in Nasr City are wearing banners saying that they are willing to be martyrs for the cause of keeping the president in power. | Some Morsi supporters in Nasr City are wearing banners saying that they are willing to be martyrs for the cause of keeping the president in power. |
Society split | Society split |
Presidential spokesman Ihab Fahmi called on all Egyptians to "unite and listen to the sound of wisdom". | Presidential spokesman Ihab Fahmi called on all Egyptians to "unite and listen to the sound of wisdom". |
"Political diversity necessitates on all parties to abide by the democratic process," he said. | "Political diversity necessitates on all parties to abide by the democratic process," he said. |
He told reporters that the presidency was open to a "real and serious national dialogue". | |
The chants in Tahrir Square alternate between humorous songs and angry protestations, all calling for the president to step down. | The chants in Tahrir 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. | |
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 Square. | |
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." | |
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. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |