Egypt: dozens killed in clashes between security forces and Mursi supporters in Cairo

Blood soaked the streets of Cairo around Rabaa al-Adawiya Square after

a night of deadly clashes between the Egyptian army and supporters of

ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.



The Muslim Brotherhood said more than 70 people had been killed. Some

reports put the number of injured as high as 4,000.



Medical centres are overflowing with wounded people, some riddled with

bullet wounds. The head of the Rabaa al-Adawiya field hospital told

euronews: "All those admitted are in serious condition. You can see

for yourself, they've all got gunshot wounds."



Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed al-Beltaji said the group would not

back down in the face of persecution, telling euronews: "We are

staying here in peaceful protest."



"We have the right to stand in front of the world to say that all the

people of Egypt have the right to choose their president, parliament

and constitution. No military force has the right to one day wake up

and suddenly decide who runs the government," al-Beltaji continued.



The deadly overnight clashes came after a day of pro and anti-Mursi

rallies. The former president was deposed by the military after mass

protests against his year-long rule.



From Cairo, Mohamed Shaikhibrahim reported: "The period of 48 hours,

which the army gave to negotiate on national reconciliation, has not

ended. The deterioration of the security situation is clear through

the bloody clashes we've seen at Rabaa al-Adawiya. The atmosphere here

indicates fear that even worse could still be to come."

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