Egypt’s Islamist coalition calls for new demonstrations

Protesters shout slogans in support of Egypt\'s ousted president Mohammed Morsi Egypt’s National Coalition to Support Legitimacy called upon the Egyptian people on Friday to organise further demonstrations in the coming week under the slogan \"The people lead the revolution.” The coalition of largely Islamist groups and figures that support ousted president Mohammed Morsi said they would continue protesting to demand the Islamist leader\'s reinstatement.
The coalition issued a statement, expressing its appreciation for “the historic role the Egyptian people played in supporting legitimacy.” It added that “Egyptians have proved their ability to guard their demands in several peaceful ways despite the brutal massacres committed by Egypt\'s military against the people who refused the military coup.”
According to the statement, millions of the Egyptians participated in the demonstrations on Friday to express their support for Morsi. It added that Egypt\'s streets witnessed unprecedented marches all over the country.
Friday was set to be a test of the remaining strength and commitment of the Islamists, who called for \"Friday of martyrs\" protests after the main weekly Muslim prayers.
But according to observers, Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood managed to rally only several thousand supporters, compared with the hundreds of thousands who flooded streets before security forces broke up two protest camps in Cairo earlier this month, killing hundreds.
Their numbers have been thinned by a fierce crackdown that has seen some 2,000 members and leaders arrested, including the movement\'s supreme leader, Mohammed Badie, earlier this week.
Morsi himself is being held at a secret location and faces charges related to his 2011 escape from prison and of inciting the death and torture of protesters.