Egyptian Islamists demonstrate in Cairo Egypt’s Islamist groups are set to begin an open-ended demonstration on Friday in support of President Mohammed Morsi, two days before planned rallies against him. Islamist parties and groups called the rallies outside Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque in Cairo\'s Nasr City district under the slogan: Legitimacy Is A Red Line.
Morsi’s supporters say he derives his authority from the first \"free and fair\" presidential election in Egypt\'s history, and that the challenges he faces - corrupt and inefficient institutions, economic troubles and religious tensions - were inherited.
The opposition, on the other hand, sees him as a Muslim Brotherhood delegate, favouring Islamists in key positions and returning the country to authoritarianism.
The Islamists accuse the opposition of being remnants of ousted president Hosni Mubarak\'s regime and of seeking to sow chaos.
Meanwhile, around 32 tents were pitched in the middle of Tahrir Square on Thursday morning and four others were erected near the Egyptian Museum and anti-government groups began preparations for demonstrations on June 30.
The demonstrations are being led by the Tamarod (rebellion) campaign, a mammoth anti-Morsi petition drive.
Thousands of protesters descended on the flashpoint square late on Wednesday where big screens had been set up ahead of a speech by President Morsi. Angry protesters chanted against the president and the Muslim Brotherhood, the group which helped catapult him into the presidency. Others held aloft shoes and red cards as a sign of their contempt.
Sunday\'s rallies also include a planned sit-in outside the presidential palace, in the district of Heliopolis. General Mohamad Zaki, the head of the presidential guard, said that his forces will not clash with protesters on June 30.
In an interview with Egyptian state news agency MENA, Zaki said he does not expect protesters to use violence against the presidential guard forces.
Zaki added that people have the right to carry out peaceful demonstrations to express their opinions.
He stressed that the mission of the presidential guard is to strictly face any attempt to break into presidential palace or any other building associated with the executive authority.
Presidential guard forces will be deployed inside the walls of the presidential palace and will not face protesters except if some try to storm the building, Zaki explained.
Zaki said the presidential guard has nothing to do with the objective of some Egyptian people to change the ruling regime, stressing that the guard will defend the democratic legitimacy of the government, chosen by the people.