国际英语新闻:Morsi's supporters stage protests in Egypt

CAIRO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Throngs of loyalists to Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsi took to the streets on Friday, calling for his reinstatement as legitimate leader of the country through mass protests dubbed "Breaking the Coup."

Tens of thousands of protesters continued their sit-in at Cairo 's Rabia al-Adawiya Square beside marches in streets and rallies in public squares to oppose Morsi's ouster.

Some protesters flocked to the nearby Republic Guards House, where Morsi is allegedly detained, chanting pro-Islamist and anti- military slogans.

The Muslim Brotherhood had called for demonstrations across the country, accusing the armed forces of carrying out a coup against the country's first freely elected president.

Despite a prior military warning, a group of Morsi's supporters held a march from Rabia al-Adawiya toward the Defense Ministry, where central security troops, tanks and armored vehicles are heavily deployed.

A fleet of military helicopters hovered above the protesters at Rabia al-Adawiya, while other fighter jets flew over the Republican Guards House, carrying flags of Egypt.

Earlier in the day, following a Muslim mass prayer, 13 people were arrested for allegedly inciting riots outside Al-Azhar Mosque, where clashes between the Morsi's proponents and opponents paralyzed the traffic.

Also, anti-Morsi groups and parties called for demonstrations to back the army and its roadmap for post-Morsi Egypt, which aimed to stress the demands of the June-30 uprising that ousted the Islamist president.

On Thursday, the armed forces warned in a statement against any acts of violence or vandalism against military facilities or state institutions during the planned protests called for by different political parties in different areas.

"Whoever will resort to violence and deviate from peacefulness during Friday demonstrations will risk his own life," said military spokesman Ahmed Mohamed Ali.

Interim President Adli Mansour said Thursday that the country was going through "a decisive stage," where some wanted it to usher in violence and bloodshed while the new leadership hoped it would be a beginning for stability.

"Those who want the course of bloodshed are pushing the nation toward an abyss under fake slogans," Mansour added, stressing the transitional government is committed to achieving security and stability.