Egypt PM Vows to Disperse Islamist Protesters as Presidency Announces 'Failed' Mediation
Egypt's Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi vowed Wednesday to disperse Islamist protest camps in Cairo, after the failure was announced of foreign mediation with supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi.
"The cabinet affirms that the decision to disperse the Rabaa Adawiya and Nahda sit-ins is a final decision, on which all agree, and there is no going back on it," Beblawi said, reading a statement aired on state television.
The protesters in the two Cairo squares have been camped out for more than a month, and insist they will stay until the deposed president Morsi is reinstated.
"We call on them now, anew, to quickly leave, and return to their homes and work, without being chased if their hands have not been soiled by blood," Beblawi said, adding the government would offer free transportation.
He accused the protesters of "exceeding all bounds of peacefulness by incitement to violence and use of weapons and blocking roads."
"The government's solicitude for the holy month of Ramadan...in which it hoped the crises would be resolved without the intervention of security, did not mean the cabinet had gone back on its decision," Beblawi said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Egyptian presidency said Western and Arab efforts to mediate an end to Egypt's political deadlock have failed, signalling a possible crackdown on Islamists that has sparked fears of more carnage.
The statement came hours after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns left Cairo, having made no headway in finding a compromise between the army-installed government and supporters of Morsi.
"The phase of diplomatic efforts has ended today," the presidency said, referring to mediation by Burns and EU envoy Bernardino Leon, who were among other diplomats who had traveled to Cairo.
"These efforts have not achieved the hoped for results," the statement added.
Source: Agence France Presse
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