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Morsi supporters defy warnings to end Cairo protests Egypt orders police to blockade pro-Morsi protest camps
(35 minutes later)
Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi are gathering in Cairo to demand his reinstatement. Egypt's government has ordered police to block access to protest camps set up by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, state TV reports.
Thousands defied warnings from the interim government to abandon the two main protest camps outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque and at Nahda Square. Thousands have been defying warnings from the authorities to abandon the sit-ins in Cairo outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque and at Nahda Square.
Human Rights Watch urged the state not to try to end the sit-ins, saying it needed to "avoid another bloodbath". Human Rights Watch earlier called on the state to "avoid another bloodbath".
Hundreds of Mr Morsi's supporters have been killed in clashes since he was overthrown by the military on 3 July.Hundreds of Mr Morsi's supporters have been killed in clashes since he was overthrown by the military on 3 July.
More than 80 were shot dead in a single incident near the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque last week.More than 80 were shot dead in a single incident near the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque last week.
'National security threat''National security threat'
On Wednesday, the government raised fears of further violence when it warned protesters to abandon their sit-ins or face dispersal by force. It said they represented a "threat to the Egyptian national security and an unacceptable terrorising of citizens". On Wednesday, the government raised fears of further violence when it warned protesters to abandon their sit-ins or face dispersal by force. It said the camps represented a "threat to the Egyptian national security and an unacceptable terrorising of citizens".
An interior ministry spokesman called on Mr Morsi's supporters to "give priority to the interest of the homeland, to comply with the public interest and to quickly leave and evacuate". He promised "safe exit and complete protection" to those who complied, without giving a deadline, AFP news agency reports.An interior ministry spokesman called on Mr Morsi's supporters to "give priority to the interest of the homeland, to comply with the public interest and to quickly leave and evacuate". He promised "safe exit and complete protection" to those who complied, without giving a deadline, AFP news agency reports.
However, thousands of people continued to gather at the two squares on Thursday and Friday.However, thousands of people continued to gather at the two squares on Thursday and Friday.
The Anti-Coup Pro-Democracy Alliance, a grouping of Morsi supporters led by the Muslim Brotherhood, vowed that the protests would continue.The Anti-Coup Pro-Democracy Alliance, a grouping of Morsi supporters led by the Muslim Brotherhood, vowed that the protests would continue.
"All revolutionary groups, including the alliance, also announce that they do not recognise the coup government or its decisions or negotiations," a statement said."All revolutionary groups, including the alliance, also announce that they do not recognise the coup government or its decisions or negotiations," a statement said.
The alliance added that it placed "full responsibility on the coup leaders for any acts of violence or killings".The alliance added that it placed "full responsibility on the coup leaders for any acts of violence or killings".
Human Rights Watch urged the authorities not to clear the sit-ins. On Friday afternoon, as crowds grew steadily, state TV reported that the interior ministry had ordered security forces to impose a "blockade" on the Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda Square sit-ins within 48 hours, after which people would only be allowed to leave.
"The idea of storming the camp by force is one rejected by the interior ministry," state TV's security affairs correspondent said, according to the Reuters news agency.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood's Ahrar 25 TV said two new sit-ins had begun - one outside the Mustafa Mahmoud mosque in the Mohandessin district, and another in Alf Maskan.
Earlier, Human Rights Watch urged it not to clear the sit-ins.
"To avoid another bloodbath, Egypt's civilian rulers need to ensure the ongoing right of protesters to assemble peacefully, and seek alternatives to a forcible dispersal of the crowds," it said."To avoid another bloodbath, Egypt's civilian rulers need to ensure the ongoing right of protesters to assemble peacefully, and seek alternatives to a forcible dispersal of the crowds," it said.
'Disappointed''Disappointed'
The US government has also expressed concern at the threat to disperse the sit-ins by force.The US government has also expressed concern at the threat to disperse the sit-ins by force.
But on Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry unexpectedly endorsed the overthrow of Egypt's first freely elected president, saying the military had been "restoring democracy".But on Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry unexpectedly endorsed the overthrow of Egypt's first freely elected president, saying the military had been "restoring democracy".
"The military was asked to intervene by millions and millions of people," he told Geo TV during a visit to Pakistan. "The military did not take over, to the best of our judgement - so far.""The military was asked to intervene by millions and millions of people," he told Geo TV during a visit to Pakistan. "The military did not take over, to the best of our judgement - so far."
Mr Kerry said the US was discussing the crisis with officials from the EU and other countries "to try to see if we can resolve this peacefully".Mr Kerry said the US was discussing the crisis with officials from the EU and other countries "to try to see if we can resolve this peacefully".
The Obama administration has so far refused to call the ousting of Mr Morsi a coup, which would require it to suspend its annual $1.5bn (£1bn) aid package.The Obama administration has so far refused to call the ousting of Mr Morsi a coup, which would require it to suspend its annual $1.5bn (£1bn) aid package.
Mr Kerry's comments were criticised by the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement to which Mr Morsi belongs.Mr Kerry's comments were criticised by the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement to which Mr Morsi belongs.
"We totally reject these statements and we are very disappointed in them," Mohamed Ali Bishr, a senior leader, told the Reuters news agency. "We totally reject these statements and we are very disappointed in them," Mohamed Ali Bishr, a senior leader, told Reuters.
"The United States is a country that speaks of democracy and human rights and they say something like that. I hope that they rethink their position and correct it.""The United States is a country that speaks of democracy and human rights and they say something like that. I hope that they rethink their position and correct it."
Mr Kerry's deputy, William Burns, is set to arrive in Cairo on Friday.Mr Kerry's deputy, William Burns, is set to arrive in Cairo on Friday.
Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abelatty said Mr Burns would meet Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on Saturday. It is not known whether he will also hold talks with the head of the armed forces, Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, or Mr Morsi, who is being detained by the military.Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abelatty said Mr Burns would meet Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on Saturday. It is not known whether he will also hold talks with the head of the armed forces, Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, or Mr Morsi, who is being detained by the military.