Clashes in Egypt as anti-Morsy camp demands change

Thousands of protesters clashed with police in several provinces in rallies calling on Islamist President Mohamed Morsy to fulfil the goals of the revolt that brought him to power.

Saturday, February 09, 2013
Egyptian anti-government protesters sit waving their national flag outside the presidential palace in Cairo during a demonstration against the Muslim Brotherhood. Net photo.

Thousands of protesters clashed with police in several provinces in rallies calling on Islamist President Mohamed Morsy to fulfil the goals of the revolt that brought him to power.More than 120 people were injured in the unrest across the country Friday, the Health Ministry said.In Cairo, protesters lobbed petrol bombs and set off fireworks, as security vans charged towards demonstrators who fled down the large avenue flanking the presidential palace.Clashes also erupted in several cities and towns in the Nile Delta province of Gharbiya, where the health ministry said 28 people had been injured, mainly from tear gas inhalation.In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, 20 people were hurt in sporadic clashes between police and protesters, said the ministry.The confrontations came after thousands took to the streets across Egypt answering a call by opposition groups for "Friday of dignity” rallies.Prime Minister Hisham Qandil condemned the violence as "unjustifiable” in comments cited by the official MENA news agency.Those responsible were "damaging the stability of the country and obstructing the interests of citizens”, he said.In recent months, Egypt has witnessed regular, often bloody, protests against Morsy.His opponents say he has betrayed the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak, accusing him of using his power to promote the interests of his Muslim Brotherhood, long banned under his predecessor.The country has been deeply divided between Morsy’s mainly Islamist supporters and an opposition of liberals, leftists, Christians but also deeply religious Muslims calling for rights and the separation of religion and state.Shortly after Muslim noon prayers, marchers set off from several locations in Cairo to Tahrir Square and the presidential palace, banging on drums, waving flags and clapping in unison.Agencies