Egypt's Islamist opposition calls for mass demonstrations

Egypt's Islamist opposition has called for mass demonstrations today against the military-backed regime, saying its peaceful campaign will continue until its demand to reinstate deposed President Mohammed Morsi is met.

 

The National Alliance in Support of Legitimacy also warned of more sit-ins in the coming few days, weeks after security forces violently dispersed two pro-Morsi protest sites in the Egyptian capital, killing hundreds of protesters.

 

The alliance said in a statement released yesterday that massacres against peaceful protesters, such as those that took place at sit-ins at Rabea al-Adawiyah and Al-Nahda Square that resulted in the deaths of hundreds, will not deter the group.

 

The Muslim Brotherhood-linked organisation called on Egyptians to recover their "stolen revolution" and to "restore their freedom."

 

The Brotherhood has been attempting to amass its followers despite the sensed communication difficulties between its cadres after the security arrests.

 

Meanwhile, leading Brotherhood figure Muhammed al-Beltagy has been arrested ahead of the protests.

 

Privately-owned papers reported that the Brotherhood is attempting to take over public buildings in Upper Egypt.

 

On the eve of the planned protests, the only Brotherhood figure who has not been arrested yet, deputy leader of the Freedom and Justice Party Essam al-Irian, addressed the Egyptian people through Qatari TV station Al-Jazeera.

 

"Great people of Egypt, you proved that you are capable of leading the march of revolution by yourselves without affiliation to any party, organization, or group," he said.

 

"I salute the steadfastness of this great people, their resolution, and their continuation for over two weeks to stage rallies in villages, towns and all governorates... They will never allow this regime after Mubarak's release and the return of its regime in media, economy, and politics in an attempt to get hold of the future of the nation once again," he said.

 

"The civil disobedience that started, the persisting revolution, and the peaceful protests that moved from the Rabea and Al-Nahdah squares to Egypt's squares, streets, villages, and governorates, these peaceful and civil protests staged by men, women, and children, can achieve our hope in a free, honourable, and stable life," he added.