Clashes erupt between pro-, anti-Mursi groups in Egypt

Brotherhood members, who earlier in the day gave a call for a huge rally near the presidential palace in support of President Mursi, boxed opposition protesters in from two sides, leading to scuffles, Al-Nahar TV channel reported.

Opposition protesters and supporters of Mursi hurled stones and petrol bombs at each other. The clashes came after Mursi, who yesterday left the Palace through back gate, today returned to the complex.

While protesters battled outside, vice president Mahmoud Mekki held a news conference inside the palace and tried to calm the situation.

He asked the opposition to rein in street protests, and said political groups could agree on a plan to amend contentious articles after a new parliament is elected in 2013, al-Jazeera reported.

He called for "communication between political forces" on the document.

"There must be consensus," Mekki said. "There is real political will to pass the current period and respond to the demands of the public."

Mekki also said the government will not delay the referendum - a key demand of the opposition - nor will Mursi revoke his decree.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Talaat Ibrahim Abdallah yesterday ordered a probe against three former presidential candidates accusing them of espionage and conspiring a "Zionist plot" against the Islamist government. (more)