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Egypt minister: Pro-Morsi protesters to be dispersed | Egypt minister: Pro-Morsi protesters to be dispersed |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Egypt's interior minister has warned supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi that they will "soon" be dispersed from a sit-in in Cairo. | Egypt's interior minister has warned supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi that they will "soon" be dispersed from a sit-in in Cairo. |
Minister Mohammed Ibrahim said lawsuits filed by residents near a mosque provide legal cover for the clearance. | Minister Mohammed Ibrahim said lawsuits filed by residents near a mosque provide legal cover for the clearance. |
But thousands of protesters insist they will stay at Rabaa al-Adawia mosque. | But thousands of protesters insist they will stay at Rabaa al-Adawia mosque. |
The area was the scene of bloody clashes between security forces and protesters, with doctors estimating that more than 100 people were killed. | |
The health ministry puts the death toll lower, at 65. | The health ministry puts the death toll lower, at 65. |
Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has blamed the military for the deaths, accusing soldiers of shooting to kill. | Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has blamed the military for the deaths, accusing soldiers of shooting to kill. |
The government has denied this, insisting security forces only used tear gas, not live rounds. | The government has denied this, insisting security forces only used tear gas, not live rounds. |
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Cairo says this appears to be untrue given the severity and number of injuries. | The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Cairo says this appears to be untrue given the severity and number of injuries. |
Tear gas, shotgun pellets and bullets were all in evidence during the fighting, he says. | Tear gas, shotgun pellets and bullets were all in evidence during the fighting, he says. |
Meanwhile, two leading figures who backed the army's removal of Mr Morsi, on 3 July, have condemned Saturday's killings. | Meanwhile, two leading figures who backed the army's removal of Mr Morsi, on 3 July, have condemned Saturday's killings. |
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar mosque - the highest Sunni Muslim authority in Egypt - has called for an investigation, while the vice-president of the interim government, Mohamed ElBaradei, said that excessive force had been used. | The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar mosque - the highest Sunni Muslim authority in Egypt - has called for an investigation, while the vice-president of the interim government, Mohamed ElBaradei, said that excessive force had been used. |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that he was deeply concerned about the recent bloodshed. | US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that he was deeply concerned about the recent bloodshed. |
"In this extremely volatile environment, Egyptian authorities have a moral and legal obligation to respect the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," he said. | "In this extremely volatile environment, Egyptian authorities have a moral and legal obligation to respect the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," he said. |
Earlier, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she "deeply deplores the loss of life" on Saturday and urged all sides to halt the violence. | Earlier, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she "deeply deplores the loss of life" on Saturday and urged all sides to halt the violence. |
'Shooting to kill' | 'Shooting to kill' |
Saturday's clashes, which began before dawn and carried on for several hours, were the most serious bout of violence since Mr Morsi was ousted. | Saturday's clashes, which began before dawn and carried on for several hours, were the most serious bout of violence since Mr Morsi was ousted. |
It appears they began after some of the Morsi supporters tried to extend the barricades around their protest site, and the security forces responded. | It appears they began after some of the Morsi supporters tried to extend the barricades around their protest site, and the security forces responded. |
Ahmed Nashar, a Brotherhood spokesman, witnessed what happened. | Ahmed Nashar, a Brotherhood spokesman, witnessed what happened. |
"When I arrived, bullets were whizzing past my ears," he told the BBC. "Today was just brutal - people were fired at, with live firearms." | |
Medics at a nearby field hospital told the BBC they believed about 70% of the casualties were caused by live fire - with many of the victims hit in the chest or head by snipers firing from rooftops. | Medics at a nearby field hospital told the BBC they believed about 70% of the casualties were caused by live fire - with many of the victims hit in the chest or head by snipers firing from rooftops. |
"They were mostly killed by bullet wounds, especially by snipers, especially in the head. We have nearly cut throats, just like animals," said Doctor Hesham Ibrahim. | "They were mostly killed by bullet wounds, especially by snipers, especially in the head. We have nearly cut throats, just like animals," said Doctor Hesham Ibrahim. |
Morsi accused | Morsi accused |
Mr Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, has been formally remanded in custody at an undisclosed location for an initial 15-day period, according to a judicial order on Friday. | Mr Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, has been formally remanded in custody at an undisclosed location for an initial 15-day period, according to a judicial order on Friday. |
The order was the first official statement on Mr Morsi's legal status since he was overthrown. | The order was the first official statement on Mr Morsi's legal status since he was overthrown. |
He has been accused of the "premeditated murder of some prisoners, officers and soldiers" when he and several Muslim Brotherhood leaders were freed during a breakout at a Cairo prison in January 2011. | He has been accused of the "premeditated murder of some prisoners, officers and soldiers" when he and several Muslim Brotherhood leaders were freed during a breakout at a Cairo prison in January 2011. |
He is alleged to have plotted attacks on jails in the uprising that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak. | He is alleged to have plotted attacks on jails in the uprising that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak. |
Mr Morsi is also accused of conspiring with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and has strong links with the Muslim Brotherhood. | Mr Morsi is also accused of conspiring with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and has strong links with the Muslim Brotherhood. |
On Saturday, the interior ministry said that Mr Morsi would be transferred to Torah Prison, where Mubarak is being held. | On Saturday, the interior ministry said that Mr Morsi would be transferred to Torah Prison, where Mubarak is being held. |
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