Morsy declares emergency in Egypt’s restive cities

CAIRO, January 28, 2013 DPA





Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy on Sunday declared a state of emergency and a nightime curfew for one month in three restive cities after days of deadly violence.



Mr. Morsy, facing his worst crisis since taking office in June, said the measures would take effect on Sunday night in the cities of Port Said, Suez and Ismailia.



The three coastal cities have been the scene of clashes for days between police and protesters, leaving dozens dead.



"Let everyone know that the state institutions are capable of protecting the nation, installations and people," said Mr. Morsy in an address shown on state television.



He added that he had instructed the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of police, to deal "strongly and firmly" with what he called "deviation from law."



Seven people were killed on Sunday in Port Said, bringing to 38 the number of deaths in the city in two days, according to government figures.



The latest deaths occurred in clashes between police and angry mourners during a mass funeral for dozens of people killed in rioting the day before, reported local media.



Carrying the coffins of people killed in fighting with police on Saturday, the mourners chanted: "The people want to bring down the regime," said witnesses.



On Saturday, 31 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in Port Said in rioting sparked by the sentencing of 21 local people to death over involvement in deadly football riot.



In Sunday's address Mr. Morsy offered condolences to families of the dead, but said that respect for court rulings was obligatory.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com