Egypt crisis: Fresh Alexandria clashes ahead of voting
22 December BBC
Clashes have broken out in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on the eve
of the second leg of voting in the country's constitutional
referendum.Police fired tear gas as thousands of Islamists were met by a
smaller group of protesters near a large mosque. The Islamists back
President Mohammed Morsi and his draft constitution. Opponents say the
document has been rushed and does not protect minorities.
Alexandria voted in the first leg of a referendum that has split the
nation.The capital, Cairo, has also voted. Seventeen of the 27 provinces
will cast ballots on Saturday.Islamists in favour of the draft had
called for a large rally outside the Qaed Ibrahim mosque in the centre
of Alexandria.They chanted “God is Great” and “With blood and soul, we
redeem Islam”.A smaller group of opponents chanted anti constitution
slogans and the two sides threw stones at each other.Police formed lines
to keep the groups apart and fired tear gas, with the unrest subsiding
after about 90 minutes.
The state news agency Mena quoted the health ministry as saying that
32 people had been injured.Last week an ultraconservative cleric was
trapped in a mosque in Alexandria for 12 hours as his supporters battled
opponents outside.
Some 250,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide to try
to keep order during the referendum.
Turnout for the first round of voting was reported to be low just
above 30%. Unofficial counts suggested some 56% of those who cast
ballots voted “yes” to the draft.The opposition has complained of a
number of cases of fraud.
Analysts believe Saturday's leg will favour a “yes” vote as the areas
to vote are considered in general to be more conservative.Egypt's latest
crisis began on 22 November, when Mr Morsi adopted sweeping new powers
in a decree, stripping the judiciary of any power to challenge his
decisions.The decree spurred protests and clashes between Mr Morsi's
supporters and opponents.Under pressure, the president revoked much of
the decree but only after a constituent assembly had voted through the
draft constitution and it had been put to the referendum.
The opposition had demanded the referendum be postponed, saying the
assembly had approved the draft despite a boycott by liberals,
secularists and Christians, who believe it does not adequately protect
women, freedom of expression or religion.The opposition did not,
however, call a boycott, instead urging its members to vote “no”.If the
constitution passes, elections must take place within three months. In
the meantime, legislative powers would remain with Mr Morsi.
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