Egypt’s MB calls for peaceful protest

Egypt™s Muslim Brotherhood has called for a peaceful protest over a coup that ousted the country™s first-elected President Mohamed Morsi.

In a statement released on Thursday, the group called on Egyptians to hold nationwide rallies after Friday prayers.

Earlier in the day, the Brotherhood announced that it would boycott the new political process in the country and also called on its supporters to detach themselves from the recent development.

œWe declare our uncompromising rejection of the military coup staged against the elected president and the will of the nation and refuse to participate in any activist with the usurping authorities,” the group said in a statement read by mufti Abdel-Rahman el-Barr to the supporters of Morsi in Cairo.

On the same day, supporters of Morsi camped out outside the Rabaa al-Adawyah Mosque in the capital Cairo, calling for his release.

They say Morsi was toppled by a military coup d™etat and that all the army is responsible for his downfall.

Morsi, removed from office late Wednesday, is reportedly held œpreventively” by the military. An army official has said that Morsi might face formal charges over accusations made by his opponents.

Morsi™s ouster came after days of massive anti-government protests across the country.

State media also reported that arrest warrants have been issued for a total of 300 Brotherhood officials.

The chief justice of Supreme Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, was sworn in as interim president of the North African country.

In a ceremony held on Thursday, in the Supreme Constitutional Court building in Cairo, Mansour swore to œpreserve the system of the republic, and respect the constitution and law, and guard the people™s interests.”

Mansour also suspended the country™s constitution, saying that new parliamentary elections will be held.

MAM/HN