Protests Resume In Egypt As Opposition Rejects Talks

Protesters chant slogans and wave Egyptian national flags in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Opponents of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi were back on the street Friday, after rejecting the president’s invitation to talk. They said Morsi was offering them little in the way of concessions.

The opposition has called for Morsi to delay a referendum on the constitution, and to rescind the decree he issued last month giving himself sweeping new powers.

The president has refused, saying his political opponents are trying to use protests and violence to overturn the results of the election that his party won.

Both sides have said this is an all out fight for the future of Egypt, and the standoff has led to days of violence, resignations of top government officials and bitter fights within each camp.

• BBC: Egypt opposition rejects President Morsi’s call for talks
• Wall Street Journal: Egypt Opposition Turns Down Morsi Talks

Guest:

• Shaimaa Khalil, Arab affairs editor for the BBC, reporting from Tahrir Square. She tweets @Shaimaakhalil.