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Morsi Refuses to Give Up His New Powers Amid Protests

Dec. 6, 2012 10:01pm Jason Howerton

In this image made from video, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi delivers a televised statement in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. (Credit: AP)

CAIRO (TheBlaze/AP) — An angry Mohammed Morsi refused Thursday to call off a referendum on a disputed constitution that has sparked Egypt’s worst political crisis in two years, drawing chants of “topple the regime!” from protesters who waved their shoes in contempt.

The Egyptian president’s uncompromising stand came a night after thousands of his supporters and opponents fought pitched battles outside his Cairo palace, leaving at least six dead and 700 injured.

Speaking in a nationally televised address, Morsi accused some in the opposition of serving remnants of Hosni Mubarak’s authoritarian regime and vowed he would never tolerate anyone working for the overthrow of his “legitimate” government.

That brought shouts of “the people want to topple the regime!” from the crowd of 30,000 Morsi opponents – the same chant used in the protests that brought down Mubarak.

Morsi also invited the opposition to a “comprehensive and productive” dialogue starting Saturday at his presidential palace, but gave no sign that he might offer any meaningful concessions.

The opposition has already refused to engage Morsi unless he first rescinds decrees giving him nearly unrestricted powers and shelves the draft constitution hurriedly adopted by his Islamist allies in a marathon session last week.

Morsi said the referendum on the disputed charter would go ahead as scheduled on Dec. 15. He also refused to rescind the Nov. 22 decrees.

Reading from prepared notes, Morsi frequently broke off to improvise. He wore a black tie in mourning for the six people killed in Wednesday’s clashes.

From Washington, President Barack Obama called Morsi to express “deep concern” about the deaths and injuries of protesters in Egypt, according to a White House statement.

Watch part of Morsi’s address:

The statement Thursday night said that Obama told Morsi that he and other political leaders in Egypt must make clear to their supporters that violence is unacceptable. Obama welcomed Morsi’s call for a dialogue with opposition leaders in Egypt but stressed that such a dialogue should occur without preconditions. The United States also has urged opposition leaders to join in talks without preconditions.

Earlier Thursday, Morsi’s troubles grew when another of his advisers quit to protest his handling of the crisis, raising to seven the number of those in his 17-person inner circle who have abandoned him. The only Christian in a group of four presidential assistants has also quit.

Violence persisted into the night, with a group of protesters attacking the Cairo headquarters of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, ransacking the ground floor. Another group of protesters attacked the Brotherhood’s offices in the Cairo district of Maadi. Outside the president’s house in his hometown of Zagazig, 50 miles north of Cairo, police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters, security officials said.

Unknown men gesture and celebrate as they try to burn a flag outside the Muslim Brotherhood heaquarters after unknown attackers ransacked it and tried to set it on fire on December 6, 2012 in Cairo. Egyptian protesters set fire to the Muslim Brotherhood’s main headquarters in Cairo on Thursday after storming the large villa, a spokesman for Islamist movement told AFP. ‘Two hundred thugs went to the headquarters. (Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Unknown man gesture and celebrate outside the Muslim Brotherhood heaquarter after unkown attackers ransacked it and tried to set it on fire on December 6, 2012 in Cairo. Egyptian protesters set fire to the Muslim Brotherhood’s main headquarters in Cairo on Thursday after storming the large villa, a spokesman for Islamist movement told AFP. (Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Egyptian protesters stand behind barbed wire on a road leading to the presidential palace during a protest against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012. The Egyptian army has deployed tanks outside the presidential palace in Cairo following clashes between supporters and opponents of Mohammed Morsi that left several people dead and hundreds wounded. (Credit: AP)

During his speech, Morsi repeated earlier assertions that a conspiracy against the state was behind his move to assume near unrestricted powers, but he did not reveal any details of the plot.

“It is my duty … to protect institutions of the nation,” he said. “I will always fulfill this role, no matter how much pressure or what the situation.”

Opposition protesters jeered and raised their shoes in contempt.

“We have two simple demands: Cancel the decrees and change the draft constitution. Other than that he can just go away,” shouted one protester, Osama El-Sayyed.

“I have no hope in this man” shouted another as thousands chanted “Erhal! Erhal!” – “Leave! Leave!” in Arabic.

Later, a photograph of Morsi giving his speech was circulated on social networking sites alongside one of Mubarak addressing the nation during the 18-day uprising that toppled his 29-year rule in February 2011. Both wore black ties and dark suits.

The opposition issued a statement rejecting Morsi’s offer of a dialogue, and spokesman Hussein Abdel-Ghani dismissed Morsi’s address.

“Tonight, he proved that he is not a president for all Egyptians, but merely the representative of the Muslim Brotherhood in the presidency,” Abdel-Ghani said on state television.

Earlier Thursday, the Egyptian army and elite Republican Guard sealed off the presidential palace with tanks and barbed wire, following the worst night of violence of the two-week crisis.

Responding to a call to “protect” the presidential palace, thousands of Brotherhood members and other Islamists descended on the area Wednesday, beating and chasing away some 300 opposition protesters who had been staging a peaceful sit-in there. Hours of street battles followed.

“We raise Egypt’s flag but they raise the Brotherhood flag. This is the difference,” Cairo protester Magdi Farag said as he held the tri-colored national flag stained with blood from his friend’s injury in the clashes.

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Comments (48)

fastway
Posted on December 8, 2012 at 10:22am
This sounds like our future! All you have to do is change the names from Morsi, Brotherhood and Egypt to Obama, Democrates and America and there you have it, Our future!

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progressiveslayer
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 11:04am
We’ll have the same thing here with the butcher of capitalism,he’ll never relinquish power.
Barry installed his Islamist friend in Egypt now the Egyptians will have to suffer under their dictatorship just like we’ll have to suffer under this anti-American bastard.

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Mahdi Al-Dajjal
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 10:01am
Two things to mention. One is that Barack Obama is against violence being used to topple a Muslim Brotherhood dictator but actively armed rebel groups to topple non-Muslim Brotherhood dictators, and is STILL arming them.

Second. The article states “Morsi also invited the opposition to a ‘comprehensive and productive’ dialogue starting Saturday at his presidential palace”. Saddam Hussein did the same thing and rounded them all up and had them executed as enemies of the State. If I were an opposition leader, I’d be in hiding and sending my second in command to that meeting… just to be sure.

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Geopatriot
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 8:43am
Watch Valerie Jarret oops, I mean Obama closely on this issue. So far I don’t like what I see.

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T-2
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 8:20am
What the hell happen to all those “Arab Spring” supporters? Where the hell is PBO?

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spikebu
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 5:55am
Where the heck is the USA? These people are trying to oust a worse Dictator than they had before! Where the heck are we? They have him on the run. Is the USA now supporting despots like this? I feel ill.

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- blanco5
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 6:36am
  While their favorite tv shows are on and they have their bag of Doritos, they don’t care!
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 7:34am
  Would you expect people who reelected Obama to be smart enough to recognize a budding dictator ?
  
  Report this comment
- CakeNCircus
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 8:51am
  Barber2… That’s a rather redundant question, since Obama is a budding dictator!
  
  Report this comment
tharpdevenport
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 5:41am
It is the duty of the Egyptians to storm the palace, drag Morsi out, and do what they did to the previous despot (as “amiable” to America as he was). Hence forth I shgall refer to him as the Radical Despot Morsi.

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:48am
Well this community organization just always ends up like a barfight. Is that really a skill? And spending $ to infinity? A skill again. Arming madmen, a skill? Hiding & lying, also skilled. Basketball and golf again not really a skill. Kinda bizzar skills… unless your hitler & a sporting nut.

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Dushman Kush
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:44am
Comrade Morsi is to be commended for his steadfastness and resolve. Comrade Putin’s Moscow has embraced the Muslim Brotherhood; the Comrades kneel in the streets at the Call to Prayer in Mother Russia’s Moscow. Long Live our Leader !! Long Live Comrades Morsi and Putin !!

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Favored93
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:37am
Never forget folks that this Osama Obama administration is DEEPLY in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood. Obama supported this and now should own it but the MSM will ensure that the nation stay asleep.
Pray all ye people of the living God….He is our ONLY HOPE and the ONLY one that can bring real and lasting CHANGE…Though that has not changed from Adam till now.
PRAY!!!

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wordsofwisdom
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 1:53am
This is like a bad re-occurring dream that is so stupid that it would be funny if not for the people who were killed for no reason except for the complete stupidity of the Muslim leaders. Personally I could not worship a god that had little or no respect for life. I think Satan may have a higher score then the Islamic world on this. In either case the bottom line is both are bad and this song was written to them called
“The Devils Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987
It puts into perspective why these people think the way they do.

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universalphilos
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 12:54am
Prophecy, August 10, 1974: “As the children of Abraham came forth upon the earth, and as Abraham begot the children of Egypt, and the children of your Arabian nations, so one was as into another, for they were of brothers, yet they knew each other not. And so it has been, that for all the descendents of Abraham, they did make war upon each other, and cast stones upon each other, for they were a jealous lot. Yet, each and all…believed, therefore, in our Father, the God.
Yet, as Abraham ventured forth into the land of Egypt, because his wife was…so fair, he told not of the truth; he said she was of his sister. And therefore, many did pursue this maiden, Sarah. And therefore, Abraham did bring forth lie before his God.
And as time passed forth, and the brother of Abraham, who was Lot, did live within the cities of sin…as Abraham did argue to persuade the messengers from God that should they find ten honest men in all the city they would spare the city, but they ventured forth and…found none, but Lot and his two daughters and his wife. And Lot did bargain with the people who had besieged him, to trade them his daughters, but still they wanted to destroy these that had been sent by the Father, God. For it is as in your days, this day, this time….
As the nations…of the world have come forth…to live in the house of the Lord…each has come forth, in their own way, [to] enter our Father’s many mansions. But yet, there is still this charlatan.”

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- Favored93
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:06am
  @universalphilos
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 12:54am
  Prophecy, August 10, 1974: “As the children of Abraham came forth upon the earth, and as Abraham begot the children of Egypt, and the children of your Arabian nations, so one was as into another, for they were of brothers, yet they knew each other not. And so it has been, that for all the descendents of Abraham, they did make war upon each other, and cast stones upon each other, for they were a jealous lot. Yet, each and all…believed, therefore, in our Father, the God….
  ——
  Sorry but not all of the children of Abraham believe in the same God…The religion of Islam (the descendants of Ishmael) worship the “sun god” (Allah) NOT the God of Abraham their father.
  Equating Islam (Ishmael) with the sons of Isaac (Jews from the tribe of Judah but I don’t have room here for that history ) is not even close to what I know God would do.
  The two have been at war with one another for THOUSANDS of years and the sons of Ishmael have been jealous of Isaac and his sons because God promised them that the messiah(Yeshua/Jesus) would come from him/them and not the line of Ishmael.That is why Islam HATES the Jews to this day.
  Look at a map of the nations that came from Ishmael compared to the sons of Isaac. Who has the grater share and yet who is angry about it?
  It sounds like you are taking some scripture out of context and I would love to know what you are trying to say here.
  Please reply I want to know what you ar
  
  Report this comment
- Favored93
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:23am
  … are trying to say here. (got cut off)
  
  Report this comment
- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:31am
  Boys will be boys. (Cain&Able) @ universal. I am the way, the truth and light. Jesus Christ aka King of kings. Lord of lords. Bright morning star.
  
  Report this comment
- spikebu
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 5:45am
  @favored…Ditto.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 12:07am
No surprise, we will have the same thing with Obama.

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MCGIRV
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:44pm
Morsi is an Islamo fascist tyrant, If Egyptians want Liberty and freedom they’ll need to string up this bastard and go back to the drawing board..

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- gbo
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 12:47am
  (Hell no! I won’t go!) x n.
  
  Report this comment
thesouthwasrght
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:13pm
With any luck maybe we’ll get to see his fat carcass drug up and down the street.

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- paperpushermj
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:40pm
  Morsi or Obama’s
  
  Report this comment
ginger100
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:36pm
from Mubarark to Morsi, what changed?

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- RLTW
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:42pm
  Yes change you can believe in… Not
  
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- THERAPTURCOMES
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:52pm
  Isaiah 19 in progress as is Isaiah 17:1
  
  Up next, the resurrection/rapture http://youtu.be/ahEVxIzlxwo
  
  Read, understand, BELIEVE Romans 10:9-10
  
  Report this comment
- BODYBAG
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:08pm
  H-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s
  Like anyone really believed he’s give up the power?
  
  One thing though —- I have to admire the Egyptians. At least they have the intestinal fortitude
  to rise up in anger and threaten their government to the point where the Pres flees in fear.
  Unlike here in the US where lethargy, apathy and mediocrity have taken over.
  A nation of slovenly potato heads destined for slavery and debtor’s prison.
  
  If there were a few people here with egyptianf resolve we could turn this country around.
  
  Report this comment
- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 3:11am
  @ Bodybag. Here paparazzi cry assault if a older lady Gov. touches your arm in response to nazi propaganda. They take off the shoes. Kinda dumb fighting strategy, but this is turning into a MMA fight…soooo rules out the window. Crazy is as crazy does.
  
  Report this comment
- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 3:27am
  And some at MSLSD may not be sane, that’s the worst kind to train for. Chris mathews will be like a caged wolverine tiger. He only Achilles is a bottle o Jack. And a bathouse party.
  
  Report this comment
- BODYBAG
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 7:46am
  ABRAHAMSSHEEPDOG
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 3:11am
  Here paparazzi cry assault if a older lady Gov. touches your arm in response to nazi propaganda.
  ——————————-
  Thats what I mean. If paparazzi did that in egypt they’d run over them.
  
  Report this comment
TRILO
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:32pm
Imagine that, the new “secular” Muslim Brotherhood dictator of Egypt refuses to give up his new found power. Who would have seen that coming? Certainly not the administration, many of our representatives or the CIA who helped overthrow Mubarak.

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- rawmilker
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 1:12am
  Its only going to escalate…this guy will end up getting blown up. hmmmmm
  
  Report this comment
valleyfever
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:30pm
Can you spell dictator?

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- RLTW
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:44pm
  O-b-a-m-a
  
  Report this comment
- Favored93
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:26am
  @RLTW
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:44pm
  O-b-a-m-a
  ——
  Coming to a F.E.M.A camp near you!
  
  Report this comment
- tharpdevenport
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 5:49am
  According to Joe Biden, it’s likely a “seven letter word”. ;-)
  
  Report this comment
eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:17pm
Who believed he’d keep ANY promise? Do ANY of them?

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GuruMeditation
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:14pm
Morsi, King of Clowns!

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bullcrapbuster
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:13pm
Shucks, Morsi is just doing what Barack does. I am sure that BO is proud of Mr. Mosi.

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- db321
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:19pm
  You bet Obama is proud of Morsi. Obama hand picked him.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:54pm
  DB: Yes. They have the same take on ” democracy : ” Get elected. Then become Big Brother. Take over all of the power. Be an “elected” dictator.
  
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- Favored93
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 2:32am
  @barber2
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:54pm
  DB: Yes. They have the same take on ” democracy : ” Get elected. Then become Big Brother. Take over all of the power. Be an “elected” dictator.
  —-
  We were a republic but fast becoming a democracy.
  In a democracy the majority rules and is a retarded form of government that our founders DETESTED! I is mob rule.
  Now if you are “elected” it means you can do as you please because the “people” said so… this is NOT how we were meant to govern this nation.
  You are spot on in what you said.
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 7:38am
  FAVORED: Yes. Imagine that is why the Lefties, who control so much of American education, do not foster the teaching of government or civics anymore. A sad lack in our schools. That subject matter and a class entitled ” Running Your Own Business” would change the attitudes of our young toward Big Brother government and capitalism…..
  
  Report this comment
The Silversmith
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:09pm
Poor, baby. Who’s your daddy?

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Al J Zira
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:09pm
Just like here! In the US we have Barak Morsi Obama.

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Tri-ox
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:06pm
obama’s Egypt is a mess.

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- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:15pm
  President Hussein is a mess. Problem is… It seems to be contagious.
  
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