Egypt today braced itself for mass protests by angry supporters of deposed president Mohammed Morsi after Friday prayers following a massive crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood leadership by the Arab country's new army-backed administration.
As supporters of Morsi - the nation's first freely elected president - are all set to take to the streets, the powerful army has appealed for conciliation and warned against revenge attacks as violent clashes continued overnight.
The Muslim Brotherhood of which Morsi belongs called for countrywide demonstrations today despite fears that violence might further escalate.
After the armed forces removed Morsi on Wednesday night, at least 11 people have been killed and 516 others injured in clashes across the country, according to figure issued by the Health Ministry here.
In a statement, the 'National Alliance in Support of Electoral Legitimacy' asked its supporters "to mobilise in peaceful mass marches in all liberty squares and streets of Egypt, to be started from all mosques, after Friday prayers, to reject the heinous coup against popular will."
The coalition "affirmed its full and categorical rejection of the military coup - against the President, the Constitution and democratic legitimacy - and all consequent actions and effects", the statement said.
Following his ouster, 61-year-old Morsi was kept under detention along with some senior aides of his Muslim Brotherhood party.
The group held army responsible for the safety of Morsi.
