Anti-Morsi protests staged across Egypt

PanARMENIAN.Net - Protests calling for the resignation of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi and early presidential elections have begun in the capital, Cairo, and around the country, BBC News reported.

His opponents say he has failed to tackle economic and security problems.

Thousands spent the night in Cairo's Tahrir Square, focus of protests which brought down ex-leader Hosni Mubarak.

Morsi critics also say he has put the Islamist agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country's wider interests. Windows in the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo were reinforced with sandbags ahead of the protests.

A huge rally of presidential supporters is also under way in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City. People there are carrying banners denouncing the opposition, and warning that "legitimacy is a red line". Some are wearing banners saying that they are willing to be martyrs for the cause of keeping the president in power.

Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, became Egypt's first Islamist president on June 30, 2012, after winning an election considered free and fair. His first year as president has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy.