Amid Objections, Egypt's Interim Leaders Work on Cabinet
Egypt's interim Prime Minister, Hazem el-Beblawi (File Photo)
Egypt's interim Prime Minister, Hazem el-Beblawi, is weighing potential Cabinet picks Thursday, with ousted President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood rejecting any role and criticizing arrest warrants issued Wednesday for its leaders.
The country's top prosecutor ordered the arrest of Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohammed Badie, one of his deputies, and eight others, accusing them of inciting violence that killed 51 people Monday in Cairo.
Ahmed Aref, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, criticized the warrants, calling them "the same old police state tactics." He said the focus should be on the military's actions.
Aref said the issue is not about these icons of the Muslim Brotherhood who were ordered arrested. He said those who died in cold blood are much more important than the icons.
Supporters of ousted Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans during a demonstration after the Iftar prayer, evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan, in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, July 10, 2013.
More protests planned
Wednesday night, supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi carried empty coffins towards the presidential palace in Cairo. They said the coffins represent the people killed since the military took over the government after ousting Morsi.
The Muslim Brotherhood has called for mass demonstrations on Friday.
The Brotherhood is demanding Morsi be reinstated. The movement, along with the ultra-conservative Islamist Nour Party, and other smaller parties, are critical of the transition plan laid out by the military and interim President Adly Mansour. The plan includes amending the constitution and holding new parliamentary and presidential elections.
Meanwhile, the United States says it is going ahead with a planned delivery of four F-16 fighter jets, which are due to arrive in Egypt in the coming weeks. The jets are part of a set of 20 Egypt is due to receive this year.
The U.S. government is evaluating the implications of Morsi's ouster last week. If it determines the Egyptian military carried out a coup, U.S. law requires the government to cut off more than $1 billion in aid.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday it is a complicated issue, and that it is not in the best interest of the U.S. to alter the aid program "quickly or immediately."
Protests and Rallies in Egypt
1/12Supporters of Egypt's deposed President Mohamed Morsi carry the body of a fellow supporter killed outside the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo, July 8, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
2/12A wounded supporter of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi lies at a private hospital in Cairo, July 8, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
3/12Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi attend a protest outside a military building where he is belived to be detained in Cairo, July 7, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
4/12Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi march to the Republican Guards headquarters where they believe he is being held by the army, Cairo, July 7, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
5/12Muslim Brotherhood leader Asem Abd-ElMaged delivers a speech to supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, Cairo, July 7, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
6/12Opponents of Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsi rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, July 7, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
7/12Thousands poured into Tahrir Square to celebrate what they are calling Egypt's "Second Revolution", the military's ouster of president Mohamed Morsi, July 7, 2013. (S. Behn/VOA)
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
8/12A man in Tahrir Square holds a sticker saying "No To Terrorism" in reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, July 7, 2013. (S. Behn/VOA)
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
9/12A man in Tahrir Square writes on a poster "History Will Never Forget Obama," July 7, 2013 (S. Behn/VOA)
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
10/12Many of those who rallied in Tahrir Square brought their families and children, July 7, 2013. (S. Behn/VOA)
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
11/12Protests against ousted president Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood supporters have generated high sales for all sorts of nationalist souvenirs, from flags to T-shirts, July 7, 2013. (S. Behn/VOA)
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
12/12Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi clash with anti-Morsi protesters in Alexandria, July 7, 2013.
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests Sunday.
