An Egyptian police official called today on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi to abandon their protest sit-ins, saying it would pave the way for his Muslim Brotherhood to return to a normal role in the country's political process.
The nationally televised remarks by Interior Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel-Latif came as authorities announced plans to break up the two main Cairo sit-ins by erecting cordons to prevent people from entering them.
Morsi's backers, including his Muslim Brotherhood group, have vowed to continue protesting until he's reinstated.
He was ousted in a military coup July 3 after several days of protests by millions who took to the street to demand his ouster.
Abdel-Latif promised the protesters they would be able to leave without being arrested if they had not committed any crimes.
He offered protection and safe passage to those willing to leave the two main camps, a large one outside the Rabaah al-Adawiya Mosque in eastern Cairo and a smaller one near Cairo University's main campus in Giza.
"If you believe you are bringing victory to the Brotherhood, it is your safe and secure departure that will allow the Brotherhood to go back to its role in the political process," Abdel-Latif said.
He said that Islamist leaders at the sit-ins are controlling information and "brainwashing" the protesters into thinking the sit-ins are in defense of Islam.
The Interior Ministry said some of the sit-ins' organisers were involved in "killings, torture and abductions."
Last weekend, the Interior Ministry said 11 bodies were found near both protest sites, with some showing signs of torture.
