Daring the military-backed government, supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi have called for a "million person march" tomorrow against his ouster, even as police today arrested two top leaders of an Islamist party in a widening crackdown on protesters.
"We call for a million person march under the banner of 'Martyrs of the Coup' on Tuesday," the Anti-Coup Alliance of Islamist groups organising the protests said in a statement.
Also today, pro-Morsi Wasat Party head Abul Ela Mady and his deputy Essam Sultan were both arrested in Cairo for involvement in killing protesters in recent violence. Both men were arrested on charges of inciting violence, killing protesters and insulting Egypt's judiciary.
In the worst violence seen since 61-year-old Morsi was deposed by the army on July 3, 80 people were killed in clashes with the security forces on Saturday.
However, the Brotherhood's official website said at least 200 people had been killed and some 5,000 wounded.
Mady and Sultan were arrested in the Moqattam district of the Egyptian capital, and were then sent to Aqrab prison, where nine Muslim Brotherhood leaders are being held, state-run MENA news agency reported.
Prosecutors also ordered the arrest of Safwat Hegazy, a preacher known for his ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, on charges of inciting violence, after he led a march from Rabea al-Adaweya sit-in to Nasr Road which degenerated into deadly clashes with security forces.
Meanwhile, as part of international efforts to broker a peace between the two sides, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrived here today for talks.
Ashton met a number of Egyptian officials for talks on the current political developments stressing that Egypt's decision is independent with no pressure from any side.
She said that her visit to Egypt is focused on mobilising for a cohesive transitional process that will include all political factions in the country.
Ashton's visit includes meeting with interim president Adly Mansour, Vice-President Mohamed ElBaradei, army chief Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in addition to other members of the interim cabinet and political figures, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
A Muslim Brotherhood member told London-based Al-Hayat newspaper that Ashton has requested a meeting with their supreme leader, Mohamed Badie.
Meanwhile, Egypt's presidency said today that it welcomes Muslim Brotherhood members "whose hands are not smeared with blood" for reconciliation as a way out of the current political strife.
