PRO-MORSI CAMPS PREPARE FOR CRACKDOWN

      Cairo, 5 Shawwal 1434/12 August 2013 (MINA) – Groups of pro-Morsi protesters, who have been demanding the reinstatement of Egypt’s deposed leader for over one month, are preparing for a security crackdown which aims to disperse them.

      Egyptian security forces are preparing to besiege supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi who are gathered in Cairo protest camps. Security sources told Al Jazeera quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting, that police would launch action against the protesters early on Monday.

      In preparation, the protesters have fortified their camps in Cairo.

      Measures to protect themselves against armoured patrol vehicles and possible force include building concrete and wooden barriers, and buying gas masks, goggles and gloves.

     The decision to take action came after a meeting between the interior minister and his aides, a security source said.

      “State security troops will be deployed around the sit-ins by dawn as a start of procedures that will eventually lead to a dispersal,” another source said.

      Gamal Heshmat, a senior leader in Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, said any attempt to besiege the sit-ins would amount to a “crime”.

      “This is a sit-in for all of the sons of Egypt and any attempt to place a siege on it or to impose a slow death by cutting off water or food or electricity is a crime, and anyone responsible will be held accountable,” Heshmat said.

      “Also any attack or the killing of Egyptians on the basis of political differences as is happening now by the police and army also will be punished, and could ignite all of Egypt.”

      Thousands rallied on Sunday to demand Morsi’s reinstatement, amid last-ditch efforts for reconciliation ahead of the threatened crackdown.

     Meanwhile, Al-Azhar, announced a last-ditch effort to resolve the tense political standoff and called for reconciliation talks between the rival sides. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).