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Egypt protest: Thousands stage anti-Morsi rallies Egypt protest: Thousands stage anti-Morsi rallies
(about 1 hour later)
Protests calling for the resignation of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi and early presidential elections have kicked off in the capital, Cairo, and around the country.Protests calling for the resignation of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi and early presidential elections have kicked off in the capital, Cairo, and around the country.
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.
The protests come on the first anniversary of Mr Morsi's election as the country's first Islamist president.The protests come on the first anniversary of Mr Morsi's election as the country's first Islamist president.
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.
In Alexandria, Egypt's second biggest city, hundreds of protesters are gathering now in one of the main squares in the city, al-Qaid Ibrahim, BBC Arabic's Rami Gabr reports. Demonstrations are being reported across the country
The rallies from the square and elsewhere in Alexandria are expected to move later in the day to the central Sidi Gaber area.
The Suez Canal city of Port Said, in north-east Egypt, is expected to see similar rallies on Sunday afternoon.
A big stage is being erected in the city's main square, and protesters are checking the identities of those going in and out of the square, BBC Arabic's Attia Nabil reports.
There are similar rallies in Suez, Monofia and Sharqiya - the birthplace of President Morsi.
Supporters of the president are also holding their own rallies.Supporters of the president are also holding their own rallies.
Society splitSociety split
Egyptians have been talking about this day for many weeks - the opposition vowing not to leave until Mr Morsi steps down and calls early presidential elections, our correspondent in Cairo says. When four Egyptian army Apache helicopters flew over the crowds in Tahrir, anti-Morsi demonstrators cheered, our correspondent reports.
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 - the opposition vowing not to leave until Mr Morsi steps down and calls early presidential elections, he says.
But his supporters point out that Mr Morsi 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 his supporters point out that Mr Morsi 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 come out on Tahrir Square.Opposition activists say more than 22 million people have signed a petition seeking a snap election. They have urged the signatories to come out on 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. 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.
Flags and tents form a base camp on the square from where protesters plan 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 travelled specially from Dubai where she lives to join Sunday's protest. "If Egypt falls under Islamist extremism, this will affect the whole region," the demonstrator said.
"I'm hoping to stay on the streets until the whole regime of the Brotherhood is brought down," she told the BBC.
"We are seeking the support of the country to stand behind the second Egyptian revolution. If Egypt falls under Islamist extremism, this will affect the whole region... Egypt is for all religions - I am a Muslim who attended an Armenian Catholic school."
Speaking in South Africa, US President Barack Obama urged "all parties to make sure they are not engaging in violence and that police and military are showing appropriate restraint".Speaking in South Africa, US President Barack Obama urged "all parties to make sure they are not engaging in violence and that police and military are showing appropriate restraint".
BloodshedBloodshed
At least three people, including a US citizen, died in unrest on Friday. Washington has warned Americans not to travel to Egypt. The UK urged its citizens to "avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings" while France said citizens should "limit movements to those strictly necessary".
Washington has warned Americans not to travel to Egypt. On Friday, US national Andrew Pochter and an Egyptian man were killed in Alexandria as protesters stormed an office of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The UK urged its citizens to "avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings" while France said citizens should "limit movements to those strictly necessary".
"We would like to see the opposition and President Morsi engage in a more constructive conversation about [how] to move their country forward," he said.
On Friday, US national Andrew Pochter and another man were killed in the northern Egyptian city of Alexandria as protesters stormed an office of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Mr Pochter, who was in the country to teach English to children and improve his own Arabic, was killed apparently while using a mobile phone to take pictures.Mr Pochter, who was in the country to teach English to children and improve his own Arabic, was killed apparently while using a mobile phone to take pictures.
His family said in a statement that he had been stabbed by a protester while observing demonstrations.His family said in a statement that he had been stabbed by a protester while observing demonstrations.
The other fatality in Alexandria on Friday was an Egyptian man who was shot dead, according to medical sources.
Another man, said to be a journalist, was killed by an explosion in Port Said and five other people were injured.Another man, said to be a journalist, was killed by an explosion in Port Said and five other people were injured.
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.
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