Interior Ministry: Live ammunition may be used to contain Friday protests

The Ministry of Interior has declared that the police will be fully prepared to contain any acts of violence against public, religious, or police facilities during Friday's protests, and may use live ammunition. In a statement released Thursday, it said the use of live ammunition is its legal right. 

Al-Shorouk reported earlier on Thursday that the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Coalition for Legitimacy are racing against time to mobilize their followers around Egypt for the protests.

The National Coalition for Legitimacy, a group that supports the ousted Brotherhood-affiliated President Mohamed Morsi, told the privately-owned paper that Egyptians will continue protesting against the coup, and that protests on August 30 will be held under the slogan “The people recover the revolution.”

According to the statement, protests will take various forms, including sit-ins, human chains, vigils, and car and motorcycles rallies.

The Jama’a al-Islamiya and its political arm, the Construction and Development Party, declared Thursday that they are planning the biggest protest in the history of the upper Egyptian governorate of Sohag. Brotherhood protesters toured the city of Tahta in Sohag on Wednesday chanting “Peaceful, peaceful” and demanding Morsi’s reinstatement, which prompted Coptic shop owners to close their shops early for fear of attacks.

Sohag and other governorates have witnessed sectarian violence since Morsi’s ouster on July 3, including the burning of churches, which have not ben adequately guarded by security forces.

Sohag’s director of security Ibrahim Saber declared that public facilities will be fully secured and any violation dealt with firmly, Al-Shorouk reported.

In Qalyubiya, the Armed Forces increased their presence at all the entrance and exit points of the city, especially in Khanka, Shubra al-Kheima, and Qalyoub, in addition to the Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural Road and Banha Stadium. Central Security Forces increased their presence around Abou Zaabal Prison and Qanater Kheireya to prevent potential attacks on the prisons.

Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim told Central Security Forces this morning that they need to stand against the Brotherhood protests with strength and decisiveness, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

In Suez, the National Salvation Front called on citizens and June 30 protesters not to protest on Friday so as to avoid clashes or bloodshed, Ahram Gate stated. 

The Ministry of Interior's statement called on citizens to stay alert against potential dangers in order to reach the goals of their glorious revolution. 

Researcher and former member of the Muslim Brotherhood Sameh Eid told Al-Shorouk that protests in Upper Egypt will involve some violence by Morsi supporters, while the Delta will witness small protests.

Eid said that recent arrests of Brotherhood leaders has created major confusion within the group's ranks, suggesting that some members have traveled to Gaza to receive special training for future operations in Egypt in coordination with the Jama'a al-Islamiya.