Islamists pour into streets amid warning

CAIRO

Morsi supporters continue demonstrations until he is reinstated. AFP photo

Tens of thousands of Islamists poured onto Egypt’s streets on July 19 demanding the reinstatement of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, amid warnings by the military of a crackdown on violent protests.

The rallies come a day after Morsi’s army-installed successor President Adly Mansour vowed to fight for stability against opponents he accused of wanting to plunge the crisis-hit country “into the unknown.”

Waving Egyptian flags and chanting slogans, vast crowds of protesters converged near Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, where Morsi’s supporters have camped out since his ouster by the army on July 3. Smaller rallies took off elsewhere in Cairo and several towns across Egypt after Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood had called for a day of protests dubbed “Breaking the Coup.” Mansour, who was installed as interim leader after the coup, pledged to rein in those who wanted to push Egypt “into the unknown.”

“We will fight the battle for security to the end. We will preserve the revolution,” he said a speech Thursday night, in comments echoed by the army. Separate rallies were also planned for later July 19 by anti-Morsi activists in Tahrir Square and outside the presidential palace, raising the possibility of violence in the capital.