Ahead of two rival rallies in Cairo Tuesday, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has conferred on the military the authority to arrest civilians until the referendum for the controversial constitution is held Saturday. The president is trying to win the army over into taking his part in the political crisis swirling around him. No response has been heard from Egypt’s military leaders to indicate they have abandoned their stance of non-interference.
Sunday, a wide range of opposition critics Sunday rejected the constitutional referendum and called on their supporters to mass in the streets of Cairo Tuesday. The Muslim Brotherhood also called on their adherent to stage a counter-demonstration, raising fears of violent clashes.