Violent Clashes Break Out On The Eve Of Egypt's Constitution Vote

Rivals Clash Ahead Of Egypt Constitution Vote -- Al Jazeera

Rival protesters fight on streets of Alexandria over controversial draft constitution to be put to vote on Saturday.

Clashes have broken out in northern Egypt between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and opponents of the country's highly contentious draft constitution.

The two sides hurled rocks and stones at each other on Friday in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, prompting police to fire tear gas to separate them.

Egypt's ministry of health said at least 77 people were hurt, as lines of black-clad officers kept apart of the supporters of the President Mohamed Morsi on one side and the anti-constitution protesters on the other.

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More News On Today's Violent Clashes In Egypt

Clashes at Islamist rally on eve of Egyptian vote -- Reuters
Protests turn violent in Egypt ahead of vote on constitution -- CNN
In Egypt, Islamists, opponents clash ahead of constitution vote -- Daily News/AP
Egypt crisis: Fresh Alexandria clashes ahead of voting -- BBC
Dozens injured in Egypt clashes as police fire tear gas at Morsi supporters and opponents -- NBC
Dozens injured during clashes in Alexandria on eve of constitution vote -- The National
Police Fire Tear Gas at Egyptian Protesters -- Voice of America
Key events in Egypt's revolution and transition -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP

Marshal Law In Egypt?

Backing Off Added Powers, Egypt’s Leader Presses Vote -- New York Times

CAIRO — Struggling to quell violent protests that have threatened to derail a referendum on an Islamist-backed draft constitution, President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt moved Saturday to appease his opponents with a package of concessions hours after state news media reported that he was moving toward imposing a form of martial law to secure the streets and allow the vote.

Mr. Morsi did not budge on a critical demand of the opposition: that he postpone the referendum set for next Saturday to allow a thorough overhaul of the proposed charter, which liberal groups say has inadequate protection of individual rights and provisions that could someday give Muslim religious authorities new influence.

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My Comment: This does not surprise me .... if there is one thing that I have learned about hardcore Islamists in government .... it is that it is "their way or the highway". This Egyptian referendum will proceed, and the Muslim Brotherhood are going to be make sure that it is going to pass.

Egyptian President Morsi Revokes Emergency Decree But Stays Firm On Referendum Date

Egyptian President Annuls Emergency Decree -- Voice of America

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has annulled a decree he issued last month granting him sweeping emergency powers, in a push to defuse political tensions and deadly violence gripping the country.

But a spokesman, speaking late Saturday in Cairo, said a referendum on a controversial draft constitution will still go forward as planned December 15.

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More News On Egyptian President Annulling Much Of His Emergency Decree

Morsi backs down in Egypt crisis after army ultimatum -- AFP
Egypt's Morsi reverses most of decree that expanded his powers -- L.A. Times
Egypt president scraps decree that sparked protests -- Reuters
Egypt's Morsi rescinds controversial decree -- Al Jazeera
Egypt's Morsi rescinds decree that sparked protests -- Haaretz
Egypt's Morsi Partially Annuls Decree Expanding His Powers -- Wall Street Journal
Egypt's Morsi revokes emergency decree -- CBS
Egypt’s Morsi annuls most of contested decree, stays firm on Dec. 15 referendum -- Washington Post
Egypt's Morsi annuls orders giving him sweeping powers, but keeps Dec. 15 constitution vote -- NBC
Backing Off Added Powers, Egypt’s Leader Presses Vote -- New York Times
Egypt: Mohamed Morsi cancels decree that gave him sweeping powers -- The Guardian
Egypt panel recommends referendum be held on time -- AP
Morsi Under Siege: Will His Concession Calm Egypt? -- Ashraf Khalil, Time

My Comment: The real credit for this reversal should go to the military. But the opposition parties have been left out .... which guarantees more protests in the week(s) to come.

Egyptian Protests Resume Again

Egypt Crisis: Protesters Clash With Army In Cairo -- BBC

Egyptian opposition protesters have broken through a barricade erected by security forces to prevent them reaching the presidential palace.

Thousands had marched on the palace in Cairo after rejecting a call for dialogue by President Mohammed Morsi.

The opposition says the president has offered no concession on his decision to expand his powers and put a new draft constitution to a referendum.

Earlier, supporters of Mr Morsi held their own march in the capital.

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More News On The Unrest In Egypt

Cairo Protesters Take to Streets as Political Crisis Deepens -- New York Times
Egyptian protesters penetrate barrier at Mursi's palace -- Reuters
Egyptian Protesters Converge on Presidential Palace -- Voice of America
Egypt’s opposition defies call for dialogue, again marching on presidential palace -- Washington Post
Demonstrators again challenge Egypt's Morsy -- CNN
Egypt protesters breach barriers, march on palace -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Egypt opposition rejects President Morsi's call for talks -- BBC

Egypt's President Refuses To Back Down

Egypt’s Leader Defends Wide Authority As Turmoil Rises -- New York Times

CAIRO — Egypt descended deeper into political turmoil on Thursday as the embattled president, Mohamed Morsi, blamed an outbreak of violence on a “fifth column” and vowed to proceed with a referendum on an Islamist-backed constitution that has prompted deadly street battles between his supporters and their secular opponents.

As the tanks and armored vehicles of an elite military unit ringed the presidential palace, Mr. Morsi gave a nationally televised address offering only a hint of compromise, while preserving his assertion of sweeping authority. His opponents quickly rejected, even mocked, his speech and vowed continued protests ahead of a planned Dec. 15 vote on the draft constitution.

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More News On The Unrest In Egypt

Egypt's president offers nothing to defuse crisis -- CBS/AP
Morsi offers few concessions amid unrest -- Al Jazeera
Morsi refuses to cancel Egypt's vote on constitution -- L.A. Times
Egypt's Morsi Promises Dialogue, Keeps Extra Powers -- Voice of America
Morsi offers no concessions to the opposition -- Irish Times
Egyptian President: 'Thugs' Organizing to Create Disorder -- Voice of America
Morsi ‘full speed ahead’ on constitution as showdown looms in Egypt -- Globe and Mail
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi calls for dialogue -- BBC
As Egypt's Morsi remains defiant, a former top Brother speaks out -- Christian Science Monitor
Egypt demonstrators reject Mursi call for dialogue -- Reuters
Opponents reject Morsi's calls for dialogue after deadly Cairo clashes -- NBC
Muslim Brotherhood offices in Cairo set on fire -- Reuters
The factions fighting for control of Egypt's future -- Globe and Mail

Egypt's President Addresses The Nation

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi Calls For Dialogue -- BBC

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has called for a meeting with the opposition on Saturday to defuse a political crisis.

Clashes between opponents and supporters of Mr Morsi left five people dead and 644 injured overnight.

In a televised speech, Mr Morsi expressed sorrow over the deaths.

He added that he supported the right to peaceful protest but alleged that some people had been paid to foment violence.

Mr Morsi said that 80 people had been detained as they had been "implicated in violent acts".

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More News On Egyptian President Morsi's Speech Today

Morsi defends actions, calls for national dialogue meeting -- The National
Morsi Invites Opposition to Talks, After Egypt Protests -- Wall Street Journal
Egypt president calls for national dialogue meeting -- Reuters
Egypt's president offers nothing to defuse crisis -- AP

My Comment: He is calling for a dialogue .... but he has never listened. And by offering nothing to those who oppose his moves, he is only guaranteeing more unrest and violence.

Update: Morsi: ‘I won’t tolerate anyone working to overthrow a legitimate government’ -- RT

Egyptian President Flees Palace

Egypt's Mursi Leaves Palace As Police Battle Protesters -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Egyptian police battled thousands of protesters outside President Mohamed Mursi's palace in Cairo on Tuesday, prompting the Islamist leader to leave the building, presidency sources said.

Officers fired teargas at up to 10,000 demonstrators angered by Mursi's drive to hold a referendum on a new constitution on December 15. Some broke through police lines around his palace and protested next to the perimeter wall.

The crowds had gathered nearby in what organizers had dubbed "last warning" protests against Mursi, who infuriated opponents with a November 22 decree that expanded his powers. "The people want the downfall of the regime," the demonstrators chanted.

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More News On Today's Unrest In Egypt

Egypt: mass protest at presidential palace in Cairo – live updates -- The Guardian
Egyptian President Morsi flees presidential palace as protests turn violent -- FOX News/AP
Tens of thousands protest outside Egypt’s presidential palace, police fire tear gas -- Washington Post/AP
Egyptians Protesting Draft Constitution Are Met With Tear Gas -- New York Times
Anti-Morsi Protests Continue in Egypt -- Voice of America
Egyptians Surge Against President's Palace -- Wall Street Journal
Egyptian security forces clash with anti-Mohamed Morsi protesters -- The Guardian
Clashes outside Egypt's presidential palace -- Al Jazeera
Clashes outside Egypt presidential palace in Cairo -- BBC
Egyptian police fire tear gas during rally against President Morsi -- L.A. Times
New battles in Egypt after Morsi's decree -- USA Today
Will Egypt’s Liberals Ever Win? -- Tarek Masoud and Wael Nawara, Slate
In Egypt, why voters won't take 'no' as the answer -- Ian Bremmer, Foreign Policy

Tens Of Thousands Protest Against Egypt's New Constitution

Cairo's Tahrir Square Fills With Anti-Morsi Protesters -- BBC

Tens of thousands of protesters opposed to Egypt's president and the sweeping new powers he assumed last week are in Cairo's Tahrir Square, hours after a new constitution was hastily approved.

The Islamist-dominated constituent assembly finished voting on the draft in the early hours on Friday.

The draft will now be sent to Mr Morsi, who is expected to call a referendum.

The Supreme Constitutional Court is due to rule on Sunday on whether the assembly should be dissolved.

Senior judges have been in a stand-off with the president since he granted himself sweeping new powers.

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More News On Today's Protests In Egypt

Egypt draft constitution sparks mass protest -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Egyptians protest after draft constitution raced through -- Reuters
Street protests follow approval of Egypt's draft constitution -- L.A. Times
Egyptians protest after Islamist-dominated assembly hastily approves constitution -- Washington Post
Mass Cairo protests after charter adopted -- The Australian
Egyptians Protest After Panel Backs Constitution -- Voice of America
Christians, liberals left out as Islamists back Egypt's draft constitution -- NBC
Washington Warily Eyes Egypt’s Constitutional Crisis -- Time
Q&A: Controversy over Egypt’s draft constitution -- BBC
Factbox: Egypt's draft constitution -- Reuters

Egypt's Political Crisis Continues

Egyptian President Meets Judges Amid Unrest -- Voice of America

CAIRO — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is due to meet with the country's Supreme Judicial Council, as judges try to persuade the president to limit the sweeping powers he granted himself last week.

The decree has sparked protests by opposition activists, who continued to camp out in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a fourth day Monday demanding Morsi reverse his decision.

The president is defending a decree placing his decisions above judicial review, stressing in a statement that the move is temporary.

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More News On Egypt's Poltiical Crisis

Egypt Court to Hear Case Challenging Mursi’s Decree Dec. 4 -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Egypt's Mursi to Meet Judges Over Power Grab -- Reuters
Egyptian Prime Minister Says, Resolution to Crisis is Imminent -- FOX News
Egypt's justice minister sees compromise deal with Mursi -- Reuters
Egypt’s judges set to fight Morsi power play -- Washington Post
Anti-Morsi Protest in Egypt Turns Deadly, Stocks Tumble -- Voice of America
In Egypt, president’s power grab unites those who once battled over Mubarak -- Washington Post
Army steers clear of Egypt's latest political crisis -- Reuters

Violent Protests Across Egypt Against Morsi's New Grab For Power

Morsi Decree Triggers Mass Protests In Egypt -- Al Jazeera

Clashes erupt while the president justifies granting himself sweeping powers as necessary to defend the revolution.

Supporters and opponents of Egypt's president have clashed in several cities after he assumed sweeping new powers, a clear show of the deepening polarisation plaguing the country.

In the largest rally on Friday, thousands of chanting protesters packed Cairo's Tahrir Square, the heart of the 2011 revolution, demanding Mohamed Morsi quit and accusing him of launching a "coup".

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More News On Today's Violent Protests In Egypt

Muslim Brotherhood offices torched, Morsi on defensive -- France24
Clashes erupt, offices ablaze after Egypt president expands power -- L.A. Times
Protests after "pharaoh" Mursi assumes powers in Egypt -- Reuters
Clashes Erupt Across Egypt Over Morsi's New Powers -- ABC News/AP
Egypt fury over Mursi 'coup against legitimacy' -- BBC
The 'new pharaoh' plunges Egypt back into turmoil -- The Independent
Egypt Demonstrators Clash With Police at Rally Against Mursi -- SFGate/Bloomberg
Protests erupt across Egypt after presidential decree -- The Guardian
Morsi opponents start sit-in in Cairo's Tahrir Square -- AFP
Egypt President Mursi defends new powers amid protests -- BBC
As Egyptians protest Morsi's new powers, U.S. expresses concern -- Haaretz/Reuters
Alarm at Egyptian leader's power grab -- Sydney Morning Herald
Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi proves a deft, adroit and ruthless leader -- Ian Black, The Guardian

Riots Break Out Between Pro And Anti-Government Protesters In Cairo

Rival Protesters Clash In Egypt's Capital -- Al Jazeera

A least 100 people injured after clashes breakout during rival rallies in Cairo's Tahrir Square after Friday prayers.

Clashes have erupted in Cairo's Tahrir Square as supporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi tried to wrest control of the iconic square in rival rallies.

The state news agency on Friday cited a doctor at a hospital near Tahrir saying at least 100 people have been injured as protesters showered stones at each other in some of the worst violence over the country's new leader.

The clashes started after Brotherhood supporters tore down a podium belonging to a group that was chanting anti-Morsi slogans, witnesses said.

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More News On Today's Protests In Cairo

Clashes in Cairo at protest against Egyptian president -- BBC
Egypt's liberals and Islamists clash, over 100 injured -- Reuters
Backers, critics of Egypt president clash in Cairo -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Islamists and activists clash in Egypt's Tahrir Square -- L.A. Times
Supporters, Opponents of President Morsi Clash in Cairo -- Voice of America
Egypt tensions over Morsi spill into clashes -- AFP
Clashes Erupt Between Islamists, Secularists in Egypt -- Wall Street Journal
Protest turns violent in Cairo -- CNN
Tahrir Square clashes pit Mohamed Morsi supporters against opponents -- The Guardian