Egypt 's Muslim Brotherhood defied threats of a further crackdown on protests, urging supporters of ousted President Mohamed Mursi to march on security installations today.
The call followed the killing of dozens of the deposed president's supporters by security forces over the weekend. The military, which toppled Mursi on July 3 after nationwide demonstrations against him, dropped leaflets on Islamist protesters telling them to keep away from the installations and "help us maintain your safety."
The planned rallies threaten to escalate a conflict that has left dozens, mostly Brotherhood supporters, dead since Mursi's overthrow, undermining offers for reconciliation by the government. The U.S. has called for restraint and a top European Union official is holding talks with both sides in Cairo today.
Egypt's army-backed government accuses the Brotherhood of inciting violence to portray itself as a victim. The Islamist group says Mursi's removal was a coup against an elected leader, and has vowed to maintain protests until he is restored.
The main Egyptian stock index fell for a fourth day, dropping 0.6 percent at the close in Cairo.
Helicopters showered the main pro-Mursi sit-in in Cairo's Nasr City district with pamphlets. "Someone is pushing for chaos to become the law of the streets," the documents read, according to the state-run Middle East News Agency. "We urge you not to approach a military installation or unit," they said. "Don't let anyone push you toward violence or sabotage."
'Strength and Decisiveness'
The Interior Ministry warned against attacks on state buildings. "Security bodies will confront such attempts with all strength and decisiveness," it said in a statement today. The armed forces also cautioned against "any miscalculated attempt to approach military installations and units." Those who attempt that will put themselves "in grave danger and will be confronted," spokesman Ahmed Ali said today on his official Facebook page.
The ministry said it received information that some Brotherhood supporters were planning to storm a conference hall near their main sit-in. Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim has said the protest will be dispersed "very soon."
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met army leader Abdelfatah al-Seesi and other Egyptian officials in Cairo today, and is holding talks with representatives of the pro-Mursi camp. Ashton said she'll call for a "fully inclusive transition process, taking in all political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood."
Death and Injuries
Mursi's supporters are open to listening to initiatives if "massacres" committed against them stop, said Hamza Zawba, a spokesman for the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood's political arm. "If we hear solutions that could be built on, we will talk," Zawba said by phone from Cairo. Still, if they continue suffering "deaths and injuries, then I think we don't have any option except for steadfastness and to hold on to our legitimacy."
Ashton extended her stay in Cairo until tomorrow to hold important meetings, MENA reported, without giving details.
The weekend violence followed demonstrations by hundreds of thousands in support of al-Seesi's call for solidarity with the military, as well as counter-rallies by Mursi loyalists. There were violent clashes in Alexandria as well as Cairo, where 80 people died according to official figures, in the deadliest incident since Mursi's overthrow.
'Lethal Force'
The mounting toll has sparked concerns internationally. "Time and time again the Egyptian security forces have resorted to lethal force, with complete disregard for human life," Philip Luther, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program said today in an e-mailed statement, urging police reform.
The London-based watchdog said there was evidence that the security forces used "unwarranted live fire" in clashes close to Mursi's supporters' main Cairo sit-in. Interior Minister Ibrahim denied his forces opened fire on protesters.
Human Rights Watch said on July 28 that many of those killed appeared to have been shot in the head or the chest.
"We still remain of the view that a negotiated settlement remains unlikely as both sides remain too far apart," Hani Sabra, Middle East director at the Eurasia Group in New York, said in an e-mailed statement. "The EU's efforts are likely to fail, despite the fact that it is probably best positioned to broker an agreement between the military and the interim government on one side and the Brotherhood on the other."
'Strongly Condemns'
Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Egyptian authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest, and he called Ashton today to express support for her efforts, according to U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. Psaki also told reporters in Washington that the U.S. believes Ashton should have access to Mursi during her visit.
At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said today that the U.S. "strongly condemns the bloodshed and violence" over the weekend.
"It's the view of the United States that Egyptian authorities have a moral and legal obligation to respect the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," Earnest told reporters. "And violence not only further sets back the process of reconciliation and democratization in Egypt, but it will negatively impact regional stability."
The U.S. has had close ties with Egypt's army for three decades and provides it with about $1.3 billion a year in aid. Last week, the Pentagon said it's delaying the delivery of four F-16 fighter planes.
Arrest Warrants
Authorities have moved against the Brotherhood and other Islamist groups, issuing arrest warrants for leaders and freezing assets. Essam Sultan and Abul-Ela Madi of the Islamist Wasat Party were arrested in the latest crackdown, the state-run Ahram Gate website reported.
The military has also pledged to step up operations against militants in the Sinai peninsula, where attacks on security forces have escalated since Mursi's fall. Ten "terrorist armed elements" have been killed over the weekend and 20 people arrested, MENA said, citing an unidentified official.
To contact the reporters on this story: Mariam Fam in Cairo at mfam1@bloomberg.net; Tarek El-Tablawy in Cairo at teltablawy@bloomberg.net; Maram Mazen in Cairo at mmazen@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net
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