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Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities | Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Huge protests across Egypt calling for the resignation of President Mohammed Morsi have continued through the night, with sporadic outbreaks of violence. | |
In the capital, Cairo, tens of thousands of people have been massed in Tahrir Square and outside the presidential palace. They have vowed to stay on until Mr Morsi steps down. | |
At least one person was killed in clashes at Cairo's headquarters of the governing Muslim Brotherhood movement. | |
Four others died in clashes elsewhere. | |
Millions of protesters across the country accuse the country's first Islamist president of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking power a year ago. | Millions of protesters across the country accuse the country's first Islamist president of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking power a year ago. |
Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday saw the biggest demonstration since the 2011 revolution which ousted President Hosni Mubarak. | Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday saw the biggest demonstration since the 2011 revolution which ousted President Hosni Mubarak. |
The demonstration was largely peaceful, but some protesters later threw stones and petrol bombs at the Cairo headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood. | |
At least one person was killed when shooting broke out near the political office, activists and a hospital official said. | |
Meanwhile, thousands of Mr Morsi supporters staged a rally in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City. | Meanwhile, thousands of Mr Morsi supporters staged a rally in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City. |
A presidential spokesman later urged the protesters to respect the democratic process, referring to Mr Morsi's victory in last year's elections which were widely seen as free and fair. | |
One clear achievement of President Morsi's opponents has been to get so many people out on to the streets, BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports from Cairo. | One clear achievement of President Morsi's opponents has been to get so many people out on to the streets, BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen reports from Cairo. |
The question they face now is how to fashion a political strategy that can rival the organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, he says. | The question they face now is how to fashion a political strategy that can rival the organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, he says. |
Another big question, he adds, is what the army will do. The defence minister has warned that the military may intervene if Egypt becomes ungovernable. | Another big question, he adds, is what the army will do. The defence minister has warned that the military may intervene if Egypt becomes ungovernable. |
Society split | Society split |
On Sunday, one man was killed and at least 24 injured in Beni Suef, 115km (71 miles) south of Cairo, security sources said. | On Sunday, 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. | 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 the southern city of Assiut, three people died and several were injured when shots were fired at protesters, reportedly by attackers on a motorcycle. | In the southern city of Assiut, three people died and several were injured when shots were fired at protesters, reportedly by attackers on a motorcycle. |
According to the health ministry, 253 people were injured across the country during Sunday's protests. | According to the health ministry, 253 people were injured across the country during Sunday's protests. |
In Cairo, unidentified persons attacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, which had been fortified with sandbags earlier. Staff inside said they had not broken in, Reuters news agency reports. | In Cairo, unidentified persons attacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, which had been fortified with sandbags earlier. Staff inside said they had not broken in, Reuters news agency reports. |
Demonstrations were also held in Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and other cities. | Demonstrations were also held in Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and other cities. |
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. |
And he reiterated that President Morsi was open to a "real and serious national dialogue". | And he reiterated that President Morsi was open to a "real and serious national dialogue". |
As darkness fell, the opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) 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". | As darkness fell, the opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) 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". |
The NSF is among liberal and secular opposition groups which have endorsed a petition organised by the grassroots movement Tamarod (Rebellion), which calls for a snap election. Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed it. | The NSF is among liberal and secular opposition groups which have endorsed a petition organised by the grassroots movement Tamarod (Rebellion), which calls for a snap election. Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed it. |
There was also some evidence of anti-American and anti-Israeli feeling among the protesters, with one flag portraying President Morsi inside a Star of David. | There was also some evidence of anti-American and anti-Israeli feeling among the protesters, with one flag portraying President Morsi inside a Star of David. |
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 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. |
At one point, army helicopters flew over Tahrir Square and dropped Egyptian flags, to cheers from the anti-Morsi crowd, he says. | At one point, army helicopters flew over Tahrir Square and dropped Egyptian flags, to cheers from the anti-Morsi crowd, he says. |
Mr Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, became president on 30 June 2012. | Mr Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, became president on 30 June 2012. |
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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