Brotherhood calls off rallies to prevent violence

Brotherhood calls off rallies to prevent violence
Sun Aug 18, 2013 21:51:01

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has called off demonstrations in the capital Cairo for security concerns and preventing further bloodshed.

In a statement released on Sunday, the group said it had made the decision due to the security situation in the North African country.

Rallies were planned nationwide to demand the reinstatement of ousted president, Mohamed Morsi.

In Cairo, Morsi’s supporters were planning to head to the Supreme Constitutional Court building despite the tight security.

On the same day, Egyptian Defense Minister General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi issued a statement saying, “We will not stand by silently watching the destruction of the country and the people or the torching [of] the nation and terrorizing the citizens.”

“We have given many chances ... to end the crisis peacefully and call for the followers of the former regime to participate in rebuilding the democratic track and integrate in the political process,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the cabinet, which is to hold a crisis meeting, has been intensifying its crackdown on pro-Morsi supporters.

Government prosecutors say they are investigating nearly 250 Muslim Brotherhood supporters on charges of terrorism and murder.

Egypt has been gripped by a bloody violence since Morsi's ouster in early July.

SHI/SHI

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