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Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities
(about 2 hours 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.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.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. One man died when rival groups clashed in a city south of the capital.
A presidential spokesman urged them to respect the democratic process. In Cairo, stones and petrol bombs were thrown at the headquarters of the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.
Morsi supporters massed in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City with banners denouncing the opposition. Protest leaders have called on demonstrators to stay on the streets until Mr Morsi resigns.
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. They accuse the country's first Islamist president of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking power a year ago.
In Cairo, they have been chanting: "Irhal! Irhal!" ("Leave! Leave!"), reports the BBC's Aleem Maqbool. A presidential spokesman urged the protesters to respect the democratic process while Morsi supporters massed in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City.
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.
Society splitSociety split
One man was killed and at least 24 injured in Beni Suef, 115km (71 miles) south of Cairo, security sources said.
According to a report on the Ahram news website, Morsi supporters attacked an opposition rally and unidentified gunmen opened fire. The report could not be confirmed independently.
In Cairo, anti-government protesters attacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, which had been fortified with sandbags earlier. Staff inside said they had not broken in, Reuters news agency reports.
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".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. As darkness fell, the opposition National Salvation Front released what it called "Revolution Statement 1", calling on protesters across Egypt to "maintain their peaceful [rallies] in all the squares and streets and villages and hamlets of the country... until the last of this dictatorial regime falls".
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. The National Salvation Front is among the liberal and secular opposition groups which have endorsed a petition organised by the grassroots movement Tamarod (Rebellion), which calls for a snap election.
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 it.
Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed a petition seeking a snap election. The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo says many ordinary Egyptians - angered by Mr Morsi's political and economic policies - are taking part in the rally 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.
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.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.""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.
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.
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