Muslim Brotherhood calls for uprising against military and Islamist party pulls out of negotiations on transitional government
At least 40 people have been killed at a demonstration by supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, prompting the Islamist Nour party to pull out of negotiations to form an interim government backed by the military.
The Muslim Brotherhood said in a statement that more than 53 people were killed and over 1,000 injured following dawn prayers on 8 July held outside the Republican Guard headquarters. The health ministry said that at least 40 were dead, while the army has confirmed that one officer had died.
The incident underscores the deepening rift between supporters of the former president and the military. In its statement, the Muslim Brotherhood said the police and army attacked protesters with unprecedented violence, while they prayed peacefully.
The army released a conflicting account. It said an armed terrorist group made an attempt to attack the Republican Guard headquarters and adding that the police did not start shooting fire on Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators, but they only responded to the shooting from armed elements loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Supporters of Mursi have poured onto the streets of Egypt since he was removed from office by the military on 3 July. The latest deaths have led the Muslim Brotherhood to call for a new uprising across the country.
In an attempt to build some consensus around the armys intervention it has tried to include a broad spectrum of opposition groups, including Islamists, secularists and Christians. The plans have faltered, and Nour has already rejected one candidate for interim prime minister. Its walkout from the talks will remove any involvement by Islamist parties.
You might also like...
McDermott completes financial restructuring exercise
28 March 2024
Region heads for hotel boom
28 March 2024
Lowest bidders emerge for Kuwait housing project
28 March 2024
Redcon wins Red Sea Triple Bay infrastructure deal
28 March 2024
A MEED Subscription...
Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.