Supporters, Opponents Of Ousted Egyptian President Rally

July 19, 2013
by RFE/RL

Tens of thousands of people have attended demonstrations across Egypt with some demanding the reinstatement of ousted President Muhammad Morsi and others showing their support for the decision to remove Morsi from power.

In Cairo, thousands gathered in city squares and outside mosques after Friday Prayers on July 19.

The Egyptian Army warned late on July 18 it would not tolerate any violence, while Egyptian warplanes and helicopters flew low over Cairo as noon prayers ended.

Morsi supporters in Cairo's suburb of Nasr City chanted they would oust army chief and interim Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who announced on July 3 that Morsi was no longer president.

Anti-Morsi activists were gathering at Tahrir Square.

Morsi's ouster created a huge political rift in Egypt. Many now fear the country could plunge into instability.

On July 18, Egypt's interim leader Adli Mansour claimed that some people were trying to create turmoil in Egypt.

'We are going through a critical stage in the history of Egypt, and some want for it to be a road to the unknown. We want for it to be a road to something better,' he said.

'Some want it to be the start of chaos, while we want it to be the start of stability. They want for it to be an entrance into violence and bloodshed and we want it to be the foundation for a good life and the assurance of human rights.'

In his first public address since being sworn in on July 4, Mansour insisted that his government was committed to restoring security and stability.

'I reaffirm to you all my commitment and the government's commitment to restoring security and stability in our country,' he said.

'We will not be scared or alarmed, and we will not go easy on those who kill the innocent. We will fight a battle for security until the end. We will protect the revolution. We will build the nation and we will move forward without hesitation.'

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was deposed by the military two weeks ago following massive protests against him.

Mansour has issued a timetable for parliamentary elections by early next year followed by a presidential poll, possibly by May.

Muslim Brotherhood official Gehad el-Haddad told the Reuters news agency that the organization would not retreat from its demand for the reinstatement of Morsi.

However, he also said that the Brotherhood had proposed a framework via an EU envoy for talks to resolve Egypt's crisis.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/egypt-muslim- brotherhood-pro-morsi-rallies/25050771.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.