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Cairo crisis continues

Rival demonstrations in Egypt’s capital lead to the military issuing an ultimatum.

Pro-Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood supporters filled Rab(***)a Aldawiya Square in Nasr City, Cairo
By Jonathan Kalan
Published On 1 Jul 2013

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Cairo, Egypt – Widespread demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi continued into a second day on Monday, following the one-year anniversary of his inauguration on June 30. While nowhere near the turnout of the previous day’s record-breaking millions of protesters, numbers continued to grow throughout the day in Tahrir Square and elsewhere after anti-Morsi protesters issued an ultimatum – calling for Morsi to resign by 5pm on Tuesday, or else face increased civil disobedience.

Supporters of President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood also staged demonstrations around the city, although far from the main anti-Morsi protests for fear of clashes. Late on Sunday night, anti-Morsi protesters had stormed the Muslim Brotherhood Headquarters in Mokattam with petrol bombs, breaking in and setting the building ablaze. The resulting clashes reportedly left eight people dead. At Rab’a Al-Adawiya Square on Monday, Morsi supporters armed with clubs conducted training exercises, anticipating clashes.

As Cairo – and the entire country – remained on edge, Egypt’s army issued an ultimatum of its own, giving protesters and politicians 48 hours to resolve the crisis, or face the military taking control of the country – as happened after the downfall or President Mubarak in 2011.

The pro-Morsi demonstration was attended by hundreds of the president(***)s supporters, but was dwarfed by the scale of the opposing protest.
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Emotions have been running high among Morsi(***)s supporters, fearful that mass protests will force the president from office just a year after taking power.
Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood supporters armed themselves with clubs and metal bars, they said for "protection" against rival protesters.
Muslim Brotherhood supporters received training in anticipation of clashes with anti-Morsi protesters, in Rab(***)a Aldawiya Square..
Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood supporters paused their lively demonstration for prayers.
After receiving a degree of "training" in anticipation of clashes with anti-Morsi protesters, Muslim Brotherhood members took again to the streets. "We are prepared to protect the legal constitution," one demonstrator said.
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The remains of the Muslim Brotherhood Headquarters, in Mokattam, Cairo, after anti-Morsi protesters attacked it on Sunday night with petrol bombs. Several people died in the ensuing clashes.
Police block off access to the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters. Police presence in Cairo is still very limited.
Police inspect the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, after anti-Morsi protesters attacked it with petrol bombs.
On the other side of the city, anti-Morsi protesters filled Tahrir square, chanting for the downfall of the government and the resignation of the president.
As during the 2011 revolution, both young and old took to the streets to call for the president(***)s resignation.
With fewer protesters in Tahrir Square than the millions who crowded into the area the previous night, the demonstration against Morsi(***)s rule grew as evening approached.
Noisy anti-Morsi protesters filled Tahrir Square before nightfall, prompting analysts to question whether Egypt(***)s fledgling democracy could survive the crisis.
With the clock already counting down towards the army(***)s deadline, protest leaders and politicians face a choice between a negotiated end to the crisis, or a return to military rule in the country.