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Egypt opposition to rally on revolution anniversary

bbc 25 1 13

Police used tear gas on protesters overnight

Police have clashed with protesters gathering in Tahrir Square in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, ahead of the second anniversary of the uprising that swept Hosni Mubarak from power.

President Mohammed Morsi's opponents plan a rally, accusing the Islamist leader of betraying the revolution.

Mr Morsi denies the claim, and has called for "peaceful" celebrations.

An appeals court recently overturned Mr Mubarak's life sentence over the deaths of protesters and ordered a retrial.

The 84-year-old former leader remains in detention at a military hospital.

On Thursday evening, police clashed with protesters who tried to remove barriers blocking a road to Tahrir Square.

The clashes continued overnight, as police fired tear gas at demonstrators camping on the square. At least eight people were wounded, officials said.

Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood party has not officially called for its own street rallies. It plans to mark the revolution by launching charitable and social initiatives.

Economic crisis

The opposition says it expects large crowds to gather in Tahrir Square later on Friday.

Egypt's revolution

  • 25 January 2011: Campaign of mass protests against Hosni Mubarak launched
  • 11 February 2011: Mubarak steps down as president, handing over to the military
  • November 2011-January 2012: Parliamentary elections held; Islamists emerge as winners
  • 2 June 2012: Mubarak convicted over killing of protesters and given life sentence
  • 17 June 2012: Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi narrowly wins presidential election
  • 15 December 2012: Constitution drafted by Islamist-led body approved in referendum
  • 13 January 2013: Appeals court orders Mubarak retrial

It accuses Mr Morsi of being autocratic and driving through a new constitution that favours Islamists and does not sufficiently protect the rights of women or Christians.

The new government is also being blamed for a deepening economic crisis.

Ahead of the planned rally Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading opposition figure and former head of the UN atomic agency, said is a statement: "I call on everyone to take part and go out to every place in Egypt to show that the revolution must be completed."

Similar protests are expected in other Egyptian cities.

The president has dismissed the opposition's claims as unfair, instead calling for a national dialogue.

Mr Morsi and his supporters accuse their opponents of undermining democracy by failing to respect the Islamists' victory in elections a year ago.

In a speech on Thursday marking the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, President Morsi called on Egyptians to celebrate the anniversary "in a civilised, peaceful way that safeguards our nation, our institutions, our lives".

Last month, he described the new constitution as "historic" and also said that boosting Egypt's economy was his priority.

He also admitted that mistakes had been made but insisted he would never make a decision except in the interests of the country.