Aswat Masriya (Cairo)

Egypt: Update - Mursi Declares State of Emergency in Suez Canal Cities

Photo: Xinhua/STR
Protesters gather at Tahrir square during a demonstration against president Muhammad Morsi in Cairo, Dec. 1, 2012. Egypt's Constituent Assembly (CA) approved almost unanimously the final draft of constitution early Friday morning.

President Mohamed Mursi on Sunday enforced emergency law in three Suez Canal governorates for 30 days and called for dialogue with prominent politicians on Sunday.

"As you all know, I have previously affirmed I am against any exceptional measures but I also affirmed I will take action. And here I am taking action, to stop the bloodshed and maintain security, against rioters and law breakers," Mursi stated, addressing the nation in a televised speech.

Mursi imposed curfew in Port Said, Suez, and Ismailia from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the 30-day state of emergency.

The president said that the revolution has deviated from its peaceful course.

He saluted policemen and the Armed Forces and extended his condolences to all Egyptians for all the lives lost during the past few days.

Clashes had erupted over the past two days on the second anniversary of the January 25 uprising and following death sentences to 21 defendants in a Port Said football massacre that occurred last February.

The president pointed that a detailed statement from the presidency will be issued later tonight.

Mursi had called for dialogue before the constitutional referendum last month but many forces boycotted his invitation.

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