Khaled Elfiqi / EPA
Egyptian supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood attack an Egyptian opposition protester in front of the presidential palace one day after a protest against President Mohammed Morsi, in Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 5.
By NBC News staff and wire reports
Supporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi scuffled outside the presidential palace in Cairo Wednesday, hurling stones and other objects at each other.
The president's backers tore down tents erected by opponents of Morsi who began a sit-in protest on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
The demonstrators are angry over the president's expanded powers and his decision to rush through a new constitution they say does not represent the whole nation.
Tweets from activists on the scene said some anti-Morsi protesters were overwhelmed by the president's backers, who beat some of the protesters with clubs. Rocks were thrown, and some protesters were left bleeding.
Prominent democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel Peace laureate who is a member of the opposition coalition leadership, said on his Twitter account that the new government was ?leading Egypt into violence & bloodshed.?
?Vicious attack vs peaceful protesters in front of presidential palace w/o police protection,? he said, describing Wednesday?s incident.
On Tuesday, Egyptian police battled thousands of protesters outside the palace, prompting Morsi to leave the building, presidency sources said.
The Associated Press reported that some people broke through barbed wire around the building and hurled chairs and rocks at retreating police on Tuesday night.
Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi reportedly left the palace via the back door to avoid further confrontation, as crowds vented their fury at Morsi's decree granting him nearly unlimited powers. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Morsi flees Egypt's presidential palace as 'last warning' protesters battle cops
The crowds had gathered in what organizers had dubbed "last warning" protests against Morsi, who infuriated opponents with a November 22 decree that expanded his powers. "The people want the downfall of the regime," the demonstrators chanted.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Egypt's unrest showed the urgent need for dialogue between Morsi's government and opposition figures.
Supporters of Islamist president push Egypt to tipping point
Speaking at NATO, Clinton said the U.S. wanted to see a constitution emerge that protects the rights of all Egyptians ? men and women, and Christian and Muslim.
But asked to specifically address any shortcoming in the Islamist-supported draft constitution, Clinton didn't name any.
Rights groups as well as secular opponents of Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood have criticized the draft. They say it rolls back the rights of women, religious minorities and others.
Liberals, Christians left out as Islamists back Egypt's draft constitution
Clinton said Wednesday the dialogue needed to be two-way ? not the government imposing its view.
She also called for Egypt's courts to be allowed to function.
Hassan Ammar / AP
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's supporters, background, clash with opponents, foreground, outside the presidential palace, in Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 5.
NBC's Jim Maceda, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
james harden breeders cup Mitch Lucker Red Cross CMA Awards 2012 election day Electoral College map
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.