July 29, 2013 -- Updated 0952 GMT (1752 HKT)
Egypt's interim president made an executive decision to transfer powers
to the prime minister in the case of a state of emergency, state-run
media reported. FULL STORY
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WARNING TO MORSY SUPPORTERS
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ACCUSATIONS
Worry mounts in Egypt as protesters dig in heels
July 29, 2013 -- Updated 1721 GMT (0121 HKT)
Supporters of Egypt's deposed
President Mohammed Morsy gather for prayers at Nasr City, where
protesters have installed a camp and hold daily rallies, in Cairo,
Egypt, on Sunday, July 28, 2013. The military ousted Morsy, Egypt's
first democratically elected president, in early July after days of mass
demonstrations. Dozens of Morsy backers angry at Egypt's
military-backed government have died in weekend violence in the volatile
nation's capital. See photos of protests that have engulfed the country.
HIDE CAPTION
Unrest in Egypt
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Egypt's prime minister acknowledges tough situation, says country isn't out of control
- Civilians are in charge in Egypt, prime minister says
- Officials to pro-Morsy protesters: End demonstrations or face "decisive decisions"
- Military copters drop leaflets on protesters, warning them to steer clear of security forces
Anxiety is thick in Egypt amid government preparations to evict pro-Morsy demonstrators
Protesters demanding Morsy's return to power are camped out in an east Cairo neighborhood, saying they won't leave until Morsy is restored to power.
Meanwhile, those whose
protests led to Morsy's ouster -- secularists and liberals -- find
themselves aligned, at least in part, with the military-backed
government.
Protests in Cairo and elsewhere have turned violent, with dozens killed Saturday in Cairo
in clashes between demonstrators and security forces. And more violence
is possible amid government warnings to pro-Morsy demonstrators to end
their protests.
The country isn't
spiraling out of control, Interim Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi said
Monday in an interview to be aired on CNN's "Amanpour."
Egyptians fear more bloodshed to come
Egypt's 'third square' movement
Egypt's defense chief rallies support
"The situation is tense of course," he said. "No one can dispute that we have a very difficult situation."
But the government is merely trying to restore order after a month of chaotic demonstrations, he said.
However, a Muslim
Brotherhood coalition that opposes Morsy's ouster said those behind his
removal are "threatening national security by dragging the Egyptian army
into a conflict with the majority of Egyptians, and by involving the
army in attacks on peaceful demonstrators, causing a breach between the
people and their army."
"Who is in charge?" is not necessarily a simple question to answer
Since taking power from
Morsy on July 3, Egypt's military has installed an interim civilian
government with Adly Mansour as interim president. He issued a decree
giving himself some legislative power and outlining a path toward new
elections.
But Egypt's generals
still wield significant power. For instance, last week it was Gen. Abdel
Fattah al-Sisi, the country's defense minister, not the president, who
called for mass protests in support of the military, asking supporters
to provide a "referendum to take firm action against violence and
terrorism."
El-Beblawi said he believes the civilian government is calling the shots.
"As far as I am
concerned, I feel very much in charge with my council of ministers, and I
haven't seen any indication or any sign from anyone to tell me what to
be done," he told CNN's Hala Gorani. "The moment I feel that the
civilian government is besieged, I will put in my resignation."
Morsy remains out of sight
He hasn't been seen publicly since the military forced him from office.
The state-run EGYNews
reported Sunday that an Egyptian delegation granted permission to visit
him said he is being held at an undisclosed military facility along with
his chief of staff and his secretary.
El-Beblawi didn't
elaborate Monday on Morsy's location, but said he is being well cared
for and detained in part for his own safety. Catherine Ashton, the
European Union's top diplomat, was expected to meet him during her visit
to Egypt Monday, El-Beblawi said.
The former president is
being held in relation for a jailbreak that took place during Egypt's
2011 revolution but well before he came to power, state media reported.
Prosecutors have said
the escape of Morsy and 18 other Brotherhood members, among others, was
plotted by "foreign elements" including Hamas, the Islamic Palestinian
Army and Hezbollah.
Morsy, who local media
reports say was in prison for a single day without any formal charges
against him, is accused of escaping, destroying the prison's official
records and intentionally killing and abducting police officers and
prisoners.
The international community is worried
Rights groups and international leaders are concerned about the violence that's already occurred, and the threat of more.
Human Rights Watch on
Sunday accused the government of intentionally killing protesters. The
rights group says it based its assessment on witness interviews and
video footage that in some cases appeared to show security forces
shooting to kill.
"The use of deadly fire
on such a scale so soon after the interim president announced the need
to impose order by force suggests a shocking willingness by the police
and by certain politicians to ratchet up violence against pro-Morsy
protesters," Nadim Houry, the group's deputy Middle East and North
Africa director, said in a statement. "It is almost impossible to
imagine that so many killings would take place without an intention to
kill, or at least a criminal disregard for people's lives."
Ashton is visiting Egypt on Monday, hoping to help quell the violence.
"I am going to Egypt to
speak to all sides and to reinforce our message that there must be a
fully inclusive transition process, taking in all political groups,
including the Muslim Brotherhood," Ashton said in a statement." This
process must lead -- as soon as possible -- to constitutional order,
free and fair elections and a civilian-led government. I will also
repeat my call to end all violence. I deeply deplore the loss of life."
On Saturday, U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry talked with Egypt's interim vice president
and foreign minister, expressing the administration's concern about the
violence.
"This is a pivotal
moment for Egypt," Kerry said in a statement Saturday. "Over two years
ago, the revolution began. Its final verdict is not decided, but it will
be forever impacted by what happens now."
Things could get uglier
The government is
threatening to break up demonstrations in what could well be another
bloody confrontation between demonstrators and security forces.
On Sunday, Mansour,
Egypt's interim president, issued a powder-keg decree making
preparations for a possible "state of emergency," the EGYnews website
reported.
"State of emergency" is a
loaded term in Egypt, where former President Hosni Mubarak ruled for 30
years under an emergency decree that barred unauthorized assembly,
restricted freedom of speech and allowed police to jail people
indefinitely.
However, Mansour's
spokesman, Ahmed El Meslemani, said Monday in a televised news
conference that the government has no plans to declare emergency law.
Still, the National
Defense Council has issued a stern warning to protesters backing Morsy
to end their protests or face "decisive decisions" for violating the
law, and El-Beblawi said the government cannot stand by while protesters
disrupt normal routines.
On Monday, Military
helicopters dropped leaflets on pro-Morsy protesters in Rabaa al-Adawiya
and appealed for them not to approach military installations and units,
EGYnews said.
"We call on everyone to
cooperate and respond to the instructions of the armed forces personnel
in order for the security and stability of the country. No violence. Do
not sabotage. No bloodshed," the leaflets read.
Reza Sayah reported from Cairo, Ali Younes
reported from Atlanta and Michael Pearson wrote from Atlanta. CNN's
Holly Yan, Schams Elwazer and Hamdi Alkhshali also contributed to this
report.
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