CAIRO: At least 70 persons have been killed in clashes erupted after security forces attacked supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo on Saturday, the Muslim Brotherhood has said.
The Islamist party has warned the death toll is likely to rise as over 100 people were injured.
The casualties were taking part in a pro-Morsi rally when they were attacked by members of the security forces, allege the Brotherhood.
“They are not shooting to wound, they are shooting to kill,” Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said, adding that demonstrators had been hit by gunshot in the head and chest.
Massive rallies were held during Friday night in the Egyptian capital by Morsi supporters and his opponents. Egypt’s military has urged Brotherhood supporters to get behind their new plans for new elections.
On Saturday morning, Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim stated that pro-Morsi protesters who had organized a sit-in at Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque in Cairo would be “brought to an end soon and in a legal manner.”