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Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Calls for More Rallies After Bloodshed


Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood says it will continue holding defiant protests, following violent clashes that killed about 100 people on Friday.

Brotherhood officials are urging the group's supporters to march in the coming days until ousted president Mohamed Morsi is reinstated.

On Friday, chaos descended on Egypt and its capital, Cairo, where Morsi supporters emerged from midday prayers to hold a "Day of Rage."

The protests led to clashes between Morsi supporters and security forces. Civilians armed with weapons also fought protesters. The clashes spread across the country.

Health officials said most of the victims died in and around Cairo's Ramses Square. Witnesses said they saw many bodies laid out in mosques that have become makeshift morgues. Several policemen were among the dead.

Clashes were also reported in Alexandria, Fayoum, Suez, Ismailia, Tanta and El Arish.



Video showed residents pelting Muslim Brotherhood supporters with rocks as well as plain-clothed Egyptians firing at each other in running street battles. The Muslim Brotherhood said a military aircraft opened fire on demonstrators.

With Friday's death toll, more than 700 people have been killed since Wednesday's government crackdown on two pro-Morsi camps in Cairo.

The government said 638 people were killed during the crackdown, but the Muslim Brotherhood said the death toll was in the thousands.

Earlier Friday, Egyptian state media warned people to stay off the streets in Cairo as an operation to confront what it called "terrorist elements" unfolds.

Also Friday, two prominent U.S. senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, urged U.S. President Barack Obama to suspend all aid to Egypt. The U.S. gives Egypt $1.3 billion in military aid each year.

Mr. Obama has canceled next month's military exercises with Egypt. He said traditional cooperation cannot continue when civilians are dying in the streets.
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