Egypt President Morsi's supporters clash with opposition protesters in Cairo

Last updated 9:35 p.m. Eastern

CAIRO Supporters and opponents of Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi fought with rocks, firebombs and sticks outside the presidential palace in Cairo on Wednesday in large-scale clashes that marked the worst violence of a deepening crisis over the disputed constitution.

Egypt's Health Ministry said five people were killed and more than 350 people were wounded in the clashes that raged hours after nightfall, according to Reuters.

Three of Morsi's aides resigned in protest of his handling of the crisis. With two aides who had quit earlier, now five of his panel of 17 advisers have left their jobs since the problems began.

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Egypt's Morsi returns after fleeing protesters

Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading opposition advocate of reform and democracy, said Morsi's rule was "no different" from that of former President Hosni Mubarak, whose authoritarian regime was toppled in an uprising nearly two years ago.

"In fact, it is perhaps even worse," the Nobel Peace Laureate told a news conference after he accused the president's supporters of a "vicious and deliberate" attack on peaceful demonstrators.

The opposition is demanding Morsi rescind decrees giving him nearly unrestricted powers and shelve a disputed draft constitution that the president's Islamist allies passed hurriedly last week.

The dueling demonstrations and violence are part of a political crisis that has left the country divided into two camps: Islamists versus an opposition made up of youth groups, liberal parties and large sectors of the public. Both sides have dug in their heels, signaling a protracted standoff.

The latest clashes began when thousands of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on the area around the palace where some 300 of his opponents were staging a sit-in. The Islamists, members of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group, chased the protesters away from their base outside the palace's main gate and tore down their tents.

• Egypt protests gain momentum in Cairo
• Egypt's highest court suspends work in protest
• Morsi sets date for constitution vote

The protesters scattered in side streets where they chanted anti-Morsi slogans. After a lull in fighting, hundreds of young Morsi opponents arrived at the scene and immediately began throwing firebombs at the president's backers, who responded with rocks.

"I voted for Morsi to get rid of Hosni Mubarak. I now regret it," Nadia el-Shafie yelled at the Brotherhood supporters from a side street. "God is greater than you. Don't think this power or authority will add anything to you. God made this revolution, not you," said the tearful el-Shafie as she was led away from the crowd of Islamists.

By nightfall, there were about 10,000 Islamists outside the palace. They set up metal barricades to keep traffic off a stretch of road that runs parallel to the palace in Cairo's upscale Heliopolis district. Some of them appeared to plan staging their own sit-in.

"May God protect Egypt and its president," read a banner hoisted on a truck that came with the Islamists. Atop, a man using a loudspeaker recited verses from the Quran.

"We came to support the president. We feel there is a legitimacy that someone is trying to rob," said engineer Rabi Mohammed, a Brotherhood supporter. "People are rejecting democratic principles using thuggery."

At least 100,000 opposition supporters rallied outside the palace on Tuesday and smaller protests were staged by the opposition elsewhere in Cairo and across much of Egypt. It was the latest of a series of mass protests against the president.

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Egyptian protesters storm presidential palace

CBS News correspondent Holly Williams reports the Tuesday protestors called it a "final warning" to Morsi, who critics say is behaving more like a dictator than Egypt's first democratically elected leader -- a title he only gained in June election.

Buoyed by the massive turnout on Tuesday, the mostly secular opposition held a series of meetings late Tuesday and Wednesday to decide on next steps in the standoff that began Nov. 22 with Morsi's decrees that placed him above oversight of any kind.

It escalated after the president's allies who dominated the constitution-writing assembly hurriedly pushed through the draft constitution without participation of representatives of liberals, minority Christians and women.

While calling for more mass rallies is the obvious course of action, activists said opposition leaders also were discussing whether to campaign for a "no" vote in a Dec. 15 constitutional referendum or to call for a boycott.

Brotherhood leaders have been calling on the opposition to enter a dialogue with the Islamist leader. But the opposition contends that a dialogue is pointless unless the president first rescinds his decrees and shelves the draft charter.

Vice President Mahmoud Mekki called for a dialogue between the president and the opposition to reach a "consensus" on the disputed articles of the constitution and put their agreement in a document that would be discussed by the next parliament. But he said the referendum must go ahead and that he was making his "initiative" in a personal capacity not on behalf of Morsi. He put the number of clauses in disputes at 15, out of a total of 234.

Speaking to CBS News, ElBaradei said the dialogue offer is "a ploy. We will continue to push until we get a proper mechanism to develop a democratic constitution and to make sure that the goals of this uprising has been fulfilled which is justice, freedom and social equality."

He added they are going to try to stop the referendum because "we believe that this referendum is null and void. It has no legitimacy."

The charter has been criticized for not protecting the rights of women and minority groups, and many journalists see it as restricting freedom of expression. Critics also say it empowers Islamic religious clerics by giving them a say over legislation, while some articles were seen as tailored to get rid of the Islamists' enemies.

If the referendum goes ahead as scheduled and the draft constitution is adopted, elections for parliament's lawmaking lower chamber will be held in February.

[valwayne]

Obama didn't waste a minute coming out and dumping Murbarak who had been a close ally of the U.S. for 30 years, even though he knew the alternative was the Islamic Extremist, anti-Israel, probably terrorist organization...the Muslim Brotherhood. Now that Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood are working to consolidate their total control and Dictatorship over Egypt where is Obama. Not a word for Obama. Isn't it amazing how Obama was going to start a new era in the relationship of the U.S. with the Arab/Muslim world. Well he has. Hamas, Hizbollah, the Muslem Brotherhood, the Islamic extremists/terrorists, including Al Qaeda are on the rise and taking over everywhere. With Obama's help and blessing. The U.S. and freedom under Obama are in a rapid and likely permanent Decline. Future historians will mark the Decline an Fall of the United States of American with Obamam'a failed Presidency!

[WillyOneThousand]

Let's not get too caught up in America's self-importance. Obama is not the president of Egypt and has nothing to do with this. Let the Egyptians figure it out, for better or for worse.

[eroteme2]

If he has not already done so, it may be time for Obama to warn Morsi. Just because there has been no attention paid by other country leaders when receiving his warnings does not mean that Morsi will not shape up after receiving his warning. Obama surely has a pocketfull of warnings he has not used yet.

[forsuchatime]

@ Somehow this Conversation, has moved into "Religious Conversation"
Religion never works - Relationship with a True & Living, God, will always be a Witness to the Millions of Millions, who benefit of its Blessings ~ As has, America and American's when true Religion is practiced in the love, guidance and care of all ~

Our only war is against evil and good, truth and delusion, right and wrong, life or death ~ victory or defeat

As for the Atheist, who believe to be wiser then everyone else and seem to have no battles fought - It just goes to show, once you renounce God & Faith, the Enemy of Our Souls,is well pleased and has no battle to forge within you or against you, but rather seeks to use you in your personal opinion of God..

Now, try to establish a relationship with God, and you will surely face the devil himself, so regardless of - Your belief in a non-existent God, will surely be confirmed at some point in your life ~

"You shall know the truth and the truth, shall set you free" John8:32

[sueb45]

Good for the people of Egypt! Democracy is worth fighting for---it's messy, inefficient and the worst form of government except for all the rest.....don't stop till you get it---fully, for all of you...because when your government is of the people, for the people and by the people....it's the best!

[gouldbj]

Religion has no place in government. Any government, anywhere at any time in history. this is what you get when people already deluded by some perverse fantasy extend that to their govt.
This could be the United states if the religious right had their way. Anyone proclaiming their religion in a political contest should be laughed out of the race.

[Hedonikos1]

@TM101.com
You are joking right? Fiscal cliff is happening because there is no God? Death? Becasue there is no God? You mean if there was a God we wouldn't have death? Ya know? I think I will stick with realities here. It is obvious you have been brainwashed to the extend of an Islamist. How sad. How so very pathetic.

[sailor1968]

The problem that Morsi has is that the Egyptian people have already overthrown one dictator who had finely honed his state apparatus of oppression over decades. They are not afraid of Morsi. Regardless of what he and his Muslim Brotherhood do, the opposition will not lay down and accept it. To gain control of the cities he would have to empty them into the countryside where his supporters are for "re-education" like the Khmer Rouge did in Cambodia. I don't see that happening as long as people aren't afraid to stand up and fight. I am hopeful that this latest chapter in the story of Egyptian democracy will lead the Muslim Brotherhood back to the fringe status in society that they had under Mubarak.

[dpattan]

Another Iran in the making.

[judymar14]

They got their 'new' government, let them deal with it. If they start another rebellion, killing each other off, so be it, not our problem. It was just a matter of time this dictorship would show it's true objective, but I didn't think it would be this soon. Muslim Brotherhood, the name alone says it all, the country is going to be run by religious fanantics. The West needs to leave these people alone, they've never had a democracy, never will, and most of all don't understand what a democratic government is. The only way they know is to be ruled by a dictator, being told what to do, what not to do, etc.

[lumisi]

Well said.

[cleric77]

And what does Mr. Obama, our beloved and fearless president say about this international crisis????????

[hamiltongrad]

WHAT WOULD JFK do ?

Please recall the almost gleeful DEMAND for Mubarik to step down, and be arrested, from the WH and our fickless State Dept.

Where are they now ?

The same place they were when the brave people of IRAN had their GREEN revolution and were being murdered in the street. Whose side are we on ???? under this President ?? Just asking.


Also, other sites are reporting "rape squads" of Muslim Brotherhood and pals, forcing women to stay inside, for fear of being attacked by a mob of over 100 men, sometimes. Again where are our voices of support ??


What would JFK do ?

[lumisi]

What would Jesus say?

[tl29szzz920]

Does any of this really surprise?

Steps to an Islamic Dictatorship.
1. Get rid of existing Dictator by having your Islamic group join the other protestors.
2. Get Your fundamental Islamic Dictator potential elected by voting and getting others not to vote.
3. Once in office having your Islamic Dictator create new laws eliminating any Democratic court system, overturning old laws, and get new Islamic Constitution created.
4. Establish your new Security force put in place using your Islamic fundamentalist supporters.
5. Make sure the Islamic Constitution is ratified, use your new security police and fundamentalist supporters if violence is necessary to stop others from voting/protesting and stop freedom of press.
6. Build torture cells and refine approaches of secret police to quell protests, arrest leaders, ban organizing and implement Islamic Sharia laws and Conservative Agenda.
7. Change Laws to allow leader to stay in office without limits, and abolish old voting system for new one allowing only leaders selected by Ultimate Leader to run for office.
8. Terrorize, convict, imprison and murder opponents and opposition leaders.
Congratulations...you've now established an Islamic Dictatorship.