Protesters demand freedom, Mursi’s ouster

Egyptian police clashed with dozens of protesters near the capital’s Tahrir Square yesterday as thousands of people rallied in several cities against President Muhammd Mursi, witnesses reported. Police and protesters threw petrol bombs and stones into the grounds of the presidential palace. Clashes took place on a main road outside Tahrir, near the American and British Embassies. Police fired birdshot at protesters, wounding at least two people. The area has become the new focus for clashes in Cairo after police blocked off other roads near Tahrir Square with concrete walls to prevent protesters from approaching nearby government offices. Protesters braved a rare Cairo rainfall to march to Tahrir Square and the presidential palace, chanting “Freedom!” and “Mursi is illegitimate!” Thousands also marched in the Mediterranean port of Alexandria and the canal city of Port Said, which was at the heart of last week’s clashes after 21 residents were sentenced to death over football-related violence a year ago. The opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) joined rival factions on Thursday in condemning the violence and supporting efforts for a national dialogue. But the coalition of mainly liberal and leftist groups also called Friday’s protests demanding a unity government and amendment of the constitution which polarized the nation when it was passed in December. The NSF said Egyptians would demonstrate nationwide against “a regime that seeks to impose its will on the people and is managing the country in the interest of the Brotherhood.” Saad Al-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, stressed the need for compromise. “There is no solution to the problems in our path to democracy without dialogue ... Dialogue must have guarantees but no preconditions,” he told journalists. “All topics are up for discussion and all participants said they were ready for compromises.” The Interior Ministry said it respected “the right to peaceful protest,” but urged all political forces to ensure “a peaceful and civilized” day, a spokesman said.