Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Seven die in Egypt protest clashes

Source BBC News@ tienganhvui.com


Supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi throw stones towards opponents of Morsi and security forces during clashes on a bridge in central Cairo, Egypt, on MondaySupporters of the ousted president refuse to join a new government, insisting Mohammed Morsi must be reinstated



Hundreds of supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi have clashed with security forces in Cairo.


Police used tear gas to drive back protesters, some hurling rocks, who temporarily blocked an arterial route through the capital.


The clashes came after a senior US envoy said Egypt had been given a "second chance" to create a democracy.


He met Egypt's new interim leaders but was snubbed by key groups including Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.


The clashes took place a week after more than 50 Morsi supporters were killed in fighting with troops outside the Republican Guard compound where the former president is believed to be being held.


Mr Morsi was ousted in a popularly backed military coup on 3 July.


Anti-US mood

Monday's battles erupted after hundreds of angry protesters blocked the main 6 October bridge. The bridge later reopened with no reports of casualties.




Egypt's troubled transition to democracy has also been a rocky road for the US.


During the historic uprising of 2011 which toppled President Mubarak, Washington vacillated over which side to back.


Now, after the ousting of President Morsi, it is still criticised on both sides of a bitter Egyptian political divide.


The anti-Morsi camp charges the US with backing the Muslim Brotherhood. The pro-Morsi camp accuses it of siding with the military.


Recently, the US developed a good working relationship with the ruling Muslim Brotherhood but found itself increasingly drawn into the deepening crisis between Islamists and more liberal forces.


The US now needs assurances that Egypt is still on the road to civilian rule, and its peace treaty with Israel is intact.


If not, about $2bn, mostly annual military aid, will be at risk, as well as a vital relationship which, despite all the strains, all sides still want to keep.



Earlier, large crowds of pro-Morsi demonstrators were also reported outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, where they have been holding a round-the-clock vigil to demand Mr Morsi's reinstatement, and at Cairo University.


"Get out, Sisi," some shouted, referring to the head of the armed forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who oversaw the overthrow of Mr Morsi.


Meanwhile, officials said suspected Islamist militants had attacked a bus carrying workers to a cement factory in north Sinai, killing three people. Fourteen others were wounded.


US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met interim President Adly Mansour and Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi, as well as Gen al-Sisi.


He described the events of the last two weeks as a "second chance to realise the promise of the revolution" that ended the long, authoritarian presidency of Hosni Mubarak in 2011.


He called on the military to avoid "any politically motivated arrests", saying the US remained committed to an Egypt that was "stable, democratic, inclusive and tolerant".


But he insisted the US had "not come to lecture anyone. We will not try to impose our model on Egypt."


The envoy's comments come amid what correspondents say is an increasingly widespread antipathy among Egyptians on both sides of the political divide towards the US, which supplies some $1.5bn (£1bn) in mostly military aid to the country each year.




William Burns: "Egyptians have second chance to put their post-revolutionary transition on a successful path"



Mr Burns said he planned to meet religious and civilian leaders, the heads of political parties and business figures during his two-day visit.


But both the ultra-conservative Salafi al-Nour party and the Tamarod anti-Morsi protest movement said they turned down invitations to meet Mr Burns, while the Muslim Brotherhood also said it had no plans to see him.


The US has called for the release of Mr Morsi, who remains in custody. His Muslim Brotherhood movement has demanded his reinstatement and insists the ousting was a coup.


Earlier Egypt's public prosecutor froze the assets of 14 Islamist leaders.


The Muslim Brotherhood head Mohammed Badie and his deputy Khairat al-Shater are reported to be among them.


The freeze comes as part of an investigation into the incitement of violence at protests.





Đăng ký: Tieng Anh Vui

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