Rival protests in Egypt prompt fears of violence
Author: Nehal El-Sherif
Cairo (dpa) - Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets of Cairo on Tuesday in rival demonstrations held ahead of a vote on a disputed draft constitution, fuelling concerns about possible outbreaks of violence.
While hundreds of opponents of President Mohammed Morsi tried to pull down concrete barriers placed in front of the presidential palace, in eastern Cairo's Heliopolis neighbourhood, supporters of the Islamist leader gathered in another area of the city to voice their support for Saturday's referendum.
Opposition groups have rejected the constitution as undemocratic and want the vote cancelled.
"I voted for Morsi, but I realize now I made a big mistake because all the decision he took have increased our problems," said Mahmoud Hassan, 26, as he marched with protesters towards the presidential palace.
Hassan, who works as a waiter, was angered by Morsi's recent decree to increase sales taxes of basic products.
"When I knew about the decree, I decided that his chance is over and I came to demand his departure, along with his regime," he told dpa.
In a bid to ease tension, Morsi has halted his decision to impose higher sales taxes on many products, including steel, cement, soft drinks, beer, cigarettes and mobile-phone services.
However, the decree has not been cancelled.
Opposition protesters have started likening the current president to Egypt's ousted strongman, Hosny Mubarak, with a banner showing a mix of the two men's faces and the phrase “Mohamed Morsi Mubarak.”
The latest marches were taking place after a group of masked men threw petrol bombs at an opposition sit-in in Tahrir Square. The attack started a small fire but was contained quickly, according to media reports.
Rival protests were also held in the northern coastal city of Alexandria.
The new constitution, which was drafted by an Islamist-led constituent assembly, has sparked the deepest crisis in Egypt since Mubarak's resignation almost two years ago.
Nine people were killed last week in clashes between rival protesters near the presidential palace.
The opposition has rejected an offer of dialogue from Morsi, who has reversed a decree granting himself sweeping powers to defuse the crisis.
They want the Islamist president to scrap the vote on the new constitution, which they say could undermine women, political rights and religious minorities.
Morsi has called on the army to maintain public order and secure government institutions until the referendum's results are announced. The army has also been granted powers to arrest civilians, raising fears that the military would again play a leading role.
However, the presidency on Tuesday said that any one arrested will be tried by a civilian court, rather than a military court.
Underlying the problems that the latest crisis is posing for the economy, Egyptian authorities have asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to delay a 4.8-billion-dollar loan because of the political turmoil.
The IMF "remains in close contact with the authorities, and stands ready to continue supporting Egypt during the ongoing transition and to consult with the authorities on the resumption of discussions" on the stand-by loan, a spokeswoman said.
