Protests continued in Cairo and across the country today, with the Fath Mosque in Cairo serving as the epicenter of a standoff between security forces and pro-Morsi demonstrators that included exchanges of gunfire. Ultimately, 385 people were arrested after the standoff ended.
In an address, Defence Minister el-Sisi declared that there was “room for everyone” in Egypt, but that “the destruction of the country” had to end. He also invited them to “integrate into the political process.” Meanwhile, news emerged that interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi suggested dissolving the Muslim Brotherhood, which has recently straddled the boundary of being a legally-constituted organization after decades of existing entirely underground.
The Interior Ministry announced that over 1,000 pro-Morsi demonstrators had been arrested as a result of the protests, seemingly meaning since Wednesday. The Health Ministry declared that 173 had died in yesterday’s protests.