Advertisement
This Article is From Jun 30, 2013

Crowds gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square ahead of rallies against Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi

Crowds gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square ahead of rallies against Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi
Cairo: Egyptian protesters joined hundreds already camped out in Cairo's Tahrir Square today ahead of mass nationwide rallies to demand the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi.

Demonstrators streamed into the square, where tents have been pitched and anti-Morsi banners hung on walls.

In Cairo's Nasr City neighbourhood, Morsi's supporters vowed to pursue a sit-in to defend the legitimacy of the president, who assumed power one year ago after Egypt's first free presidential elections.

Police and troops have deployed to protect key buildings around the country, security officials said. The health ministry said hospitals have been placed on high alert.

The anti-Morsi protests were called by Tamarod, a grassroots movement that says it has collected more than 22 million signatures to a petition calling for early presidential elections.

The figure, which compares with the 13.2 million votes to 12.3 million by which Morsi won election last year, cannot be verified.

The week leading up to Sunday's anniversary saw street violence in which eight people were killed, including an American, and scores more injured, as the two sides held rival demonstrations.

Several newspapers called Sunday "Judgment Day". Others, like the independent daily Al-Tahrir had a clearer message for the president: "Leave," it said in red on its front page.

Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world

Follow us:
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com