Morsi supporters say determined to stay on streets

Thousands of Morsi supporters packed into Rabia Square of the capital, Cairo, on Saturday, when at least 150 people were killed and scores of others were injured in clashes during rival demonstrations by supporters and opponents of Morsi across the country.

The Muslim Brotherhood says Egyptian security forces are to blame for the killings.

The casualty figures were released by the Muslim Brotherhood and Egyptian medical sources.

The clashes on Saturday followed a gathering of Morsi supporters in Cairo’s Nasr City district on Friday. The crowd demanded the reinstatement of the ousted president.

Tension has intensified in Egypt since the head of Egypt’s armed forces, General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, said on July 3 that Morsi was no longer in office. He also suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament.

On July 26, a court in Egypt ordered Morsi be detained over a string of accusations, including killing soldiers.

Since his ouster, Morsi has been held by the army at an undisclosed location.

The Muslim Brotherhood has called for a “peaceful stand” against the military “coup” that toppled Morsi. In a statement on July 25, Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie asked Egyptians to come to the streets and demand freedom and legitimacy.

The Brotherhood also says the interim government is resorting to the tactics of the regime of dictator Hosni Mubarak to crack down on protests by using snipers and new types of tear gas.

HK