A pro-Morsi Islamist coalition has called for fresh rallies on Tuesday as international mediators hold talks to put an end to the country’s mounting polarisation.
The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, consisting of Islamist parties and groups, called for yet another swathe of mass demonstrations backing deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, paying no heed to the government’s orders to end ongoing protests at two sites in Greater Cairo’s Nasr City and Giza districts.
International envoys, from the US, EU and Arab Gulf states, are currently in Cairo to help resolve the political crisis set off by Morsi’s overthrow on 3 July.
“Coup makers continue to grope for excuses to disperse sit-ins and shut mouths, [establishing] military authoritarianism and a police state,” read a Sunday statement by the Islamist grouping.
Many leaders of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood have been rounded up following his removal on charges of inciting violence. The toppled leader himself has been formally remanded in custody, facing investigations into an array of accusations including murder and plotting with Palestinian group Hamas.
An Egyptian court on Sunday set a trial date for six top Brotherhood leaders on 25 August, further infuriating Morsi’s loyalists.
The statement went on to accuse the ‘coup leaders’ of plotting to carry out explosions it said they would blame on pro-Morsi protesters “in preparation for storming [their] sit-ins and breaking them up by force.” The coalition, nevertheless, went on to assert it would abide by peaceful means of demonstration, voicing rejection of any bloodletting.
Egypt’s army-backed government reiterated its calls on Saturday for supporters of Morsi to abandon their protest camps, promising them a safe exit.
“If you think you’re upholding the Muslim Brotherhood, your safe exit from the squares will allow the group to return to its role within the democratic political process,” interior ministry spokesman said.
Thousands of Morsi’s loyalist have manned two sizeable sit-ins in Cairo to demand the reinstatement of the deposed leader, deepening political divide in a state reeling from turmoil since the overthrow of longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak.
Egypt’s military has laid out a road map of transition to democracy and a civilian government, with elections planned in about six months. Morsi’s Brotherhood, which operated semi-clandestinely for decades until Mubarak’s overthrow, has balked at the transition plan.
Well over 200 people have been killed in street violence since Morsi’s ouster. On 27 July, at least 80 people were gunned down in clashes with security forces near a pro-Morsi main vigil in east Cairo.
Source : Ahram
