Pro, anti-Morsi demos held in Egypt

Tens of thousands of supporters of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood have gathered in main squares in several cities across the country to show support for deposed President Mohamed Morsi.

The demonstrations were held in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and several other cities on Friday, The Associated Press reported.

The demonstrators waved Morsiâ„¢s images and denounced the armyâ„¢s toppling of Egypt’s first democratically elected leader. They also called Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi a traitor.

In Cairo, some of the protesters marched toward the Republican Guard headquarters, where they believe Morsi is being held.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the influential group from which Morsi emerged, says they can continue their campaign of street rallies as long as necessary to force the reinstatement of Morsi.

The anti-Morsi camp also staged protests in Cairoâ„¢s iconic Tahrir Square.

Meanwhile, the new military-backed administration has intensified its crackdown on the Brotherhood leadership by issuing arrest warrants for them.

On Wednesday, Egyptâ„¢s prosecutor general ordered the arrest of 10 Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including supreme leader Mohammed Badie, on charges of inciting violence outside the Republican Guard headquarters on July 8. More than 50 people, mostly Morsi supporters, died outside the army building in clashes with the security forces.

On July 3, the Egyptian army announced that Morsi was no longer in office and declared that the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, had been appointed as the new interim president.

Since then, Egypt has been the scene of rival rallies and clashes between thousands of the supporters and opponents of the ousted president.

Morsi is reportedly being held Å“preventively” by the military. Senior army officials say he might face formal charges over accusations made by his opponents.

MN/MHB