Egypt braces for mass protests after deadly unrest

Egypt braced for mass rallies on Friday against President Mohammed Mursi, after rival factions condemned a week of deadly violence and pledged support for a national dialogue.

Planned marches will head to Cairo’s Tahrir Square and to the presidential palace, while rallies have also been organised in several provinces.

The opposition National Salvation Front, which called for the demonstrations, is demanding the formation of a new national salvation government and the amendment of the Islamist-drafted constitution, which polarised the nation when it was passed in December.

The rallies come after a week of deadly unrest that left nearly 60 people dead, in the worst political crisis since Mursi came to power in June.

The Islamist president is accused of betraying the revolution that brought him to the presidency and of consolidating power in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a statement, the NSF said Egyptians would demonstrate nationwide against “a regime that seeks to impose its will on the people and is managing the country in the interest of the Brotherhood.”