Thousands of protesters calling for the return to power of Egypt's ousted Islamist president demonstrated in Cairo today as the military warned it will crack down on any violence, underlining the point with a show of force by fighter jets flying over the capital.
Youth activists who launched the mass protests that led to Mohammed Morsi's toppling by the military also planned a demonstration in Cairo's Tahrir Square, raising fears of a fresh round of clashes in the capital.
The Interior Minister, in charge of police, cautioned supporters of the ousted president from going to Tahrir Square. In a statement released today on the ministry's Facebook page, Mohammed Ibrahim also warned both sides against committing acts of violence.
The marches come just days after a new interim Cabinet was sworn-in that includes women, Christians and members of a liberal coalition opposed to Morsi, but no Islamists as the country finds itself deeply polarised over the July 3 military coup that was supported by millions who accused Egypt's first democratically elected leader of abusing his power and giving too much influence to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Waving Egyptian flags and holding up pictures of Morsi, marching protesters chanted slogans against army chief Gen Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi. "El-Sissi is a traitor!" the crowds chanted. "Morsi is our president!"
Mainly Islamist supporters of Morsi have been holding a sit-in in front of a mosque in eastern Cairo since Morsi was removed and the numbers swelled as his supporters answered a Brotherhood call to join the rallies on today in an event dubbed "Breaking the Coup."
"People are united in their call for the return of President Mohammed Morsi. The elected, legitimate president," Ayman Wahid said as he joined the march in Cairo. He said he represents "real Egyptians" who want Morsi back.
Pro-Morsi supporters defied the sweltering heat to take to the streets in the northern coastal city of Alexandria and several Nile Delta cities.
Yasser Meshren, who came to Cairo from the southern province of Bani Suweif, said the Egyptian military had tricked the people by overseeing the security of elections only to remove Morsi, disband the country's interim parliament and suspend the constitution, which had been approved in a referendum.
"You bring us down so we can give our voice as a lie," Meshren said, referring to the armed forces. "You stole my mother and my sister's voice.
