Cairo, Jan 28: Embattled Egyptian President Muhammed Mursi has declared a month-long emergency in three riot-hit provinces along the Suez Canal even as continued violence left 48 people dead and over 700 injured.
The fresh violence broke out today near the iconic Tahrir Square in the heart of Cairo, the epicentre of anti-regime protests during Hosni Mubarak's rule, leaving one person dead taking the toll to 48.
Riot police fired tear gas at rock-throwing protesters in central Cairo today, a day after Mursi declared a 30-day state of emergency in Port Said, Suez and Ismailia, the three governorates which have witnessed deadly clashes since the second anniversary of the Egyptian revolution on January 25. “I have said I am against any emergency measures but I have said that if I must stop bloodshed and protect the people then I will act,” Mursi said.
In a speech broadcast live on state TV, Mursi last night said he made these decisions after reviewing the Constitution, and that while he does not want to take extraordinary measures, he has been forced to do so, given the situation. He warned that if violence continues, he would be forced to take stricter measures to protect the country. ‘”If I must I will do much more for the sake of Egypt.
This is my duty and I will not hesitate,” Mursi warned. This is the first time for Mursi to take such measures, particularly the state of emergency.
Egypt was ruled under an emergency law for 30 years under ousted President Hosni Mubarak. The state of emergency gives police ultimate powers to question or detain citizens. The military council that ruled the country during its post-revolution transition lifted the emergency law in May 2011.
Mursi also invited Egyptian opposition leaders for talks to resolve the crisis. He also invited the Al-Dustur party founded by Nobel laureate Mohamed Elbaradei, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, and Hamdeen Sabbahi, a presidential candidate in last year's election.
Egypt's main opposition will meet today to consider its response to Mursi's call for a national dialogue aimed at ending the crisis, an opposition leader said. Over 700 people have been injured in the violence since Friday.
