MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD LEADER READY TO SACRIFICE FOR MORSI

Cairo, 27 Sha’ban 1434/6 July 2013 (MINA) – Earlier on Friday, Mohamed Badie, the top leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, spoke of his intention not to give up on Morsi’s presidency.

According to Aljazeera report quoted by MINA, The dramatic appearance by Badie on stage before tens of thousands of supporters in the capital’s Nasr City was his first in public since Morsi was forced from office.

In a defiant speech he said, “We are willing to sacrifice ourselves to protect our President Mohammed Morsi.”

Recently, a crowd of Morsi supporters surged across the 6th October Bridge over the Nile River in Cairo after nightfall on Friday and clashed with opponents of the deposed president.

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One man was seen apparently firing a gun, while gunshots could he heard in the area. People were seen throwing rocks as the two sides advanced and retreated in turn on the bridge near Tahrir Square.

At least two people were killed and more than 70 injured, a state TV reporter said, quoting medical personnel at a makeshift hospital in the square.

Another 17 people were killed in clashes around the country involving Morsi opponents and backers, as well as security forces, state TV reported, quoting health ministry officials.

Badie also addressed the Coptic pope, Tawadros II of Alexandria, saying that he was not qualified, “to speak on behalf of the Christians of Egypt. When it comes to politics you are just a religious symbol.”

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Morsi, “is my president and your president and the president of all Egyptians,” Badie proclaimed, thrusting his arms in the air.

“God make Morsi victorious and bring him back to the palace,” he said in the speech, which was partially aired on state TV. “We are his soldiers, we defend him with our lives.”

Badie’s speech appeared to be aimed at not only firing up his supporters but also at trying to win support within the military against army chief General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the defence minister who announced the president’s removal on Wednesday night.(T/P05/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)