• 18:05
  • Thursday ,13 June 2013
العربية

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood undecided on 30 June plans

By-Ahram

Copts and Poliltical Islam

00:06

Thursday ,13 June 2013

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood undecided on 30 June plans

The Muslim Brotherhood have not yet decided how to respond to mass protests against President Mohamed Morsi planned for 30 June, but hope the day "will pass quietly."

Ahmed Aref, media spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, "denounced repeatedly circulated rumours about the Brotherhood regarding the 30 June demonstrations," according to the Islamic group's website.
 
Islamist forces, including the Muslim Brotherhood, are reportedly considering staging counter rallies on the same day. Analysts fear such possibility will inevitably lead to clashes between the supporters and opponents of Morsi.
 
The ultra-conservative Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya movement have officially announced their intention to "defend the legitimacy of the president."
 
"We hope 30 June will pass quietly, with responsible, balanced security arrangements that will uphold law and order in the street," Aref added.
 
"So far, the Brotherhood has not taken a decision regarding that day; but state apparatuses should address any violence, in a reserved, peaceful way."
 
Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said on Tuesday the police will protect only state institutions during the protests on 30 June, not the headquarters of any political group of party, including that of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which President Morsi hails.
 
The presidential guard is the only force responsible for protecting the presidential palace, Ibrahim added, but police will offer support if requested.
 
The ‘Rebel’ campaign, a signature drive launched in May with the intention of "withdrawing confidence" from Morsi by collecting 15 million citizens' endorsements, has called for mass protests on 30 June to demand Morsi's ouster.
 
Late in May, the campaign announced it had collected seven million endorsements.       
 
Most Egyptian opposition parties and groups have endorsed the planned protests, including the main opposition umbrella group, the National Salvation Front, which is led by Mohamed ElBaradei, Hamdeen Sabbahi and Amr Moussa.