Clashes as Egypt leader’s backers, foes rally

Clashes as Egypt leader’s backers, foes rally

CAIRO (AP) — Thousands of backers and opponents of Egypt’s Islamist president held competing rallies in the capital today and new clashes erupted between the two sides in the country’s second largest city, Alexandria, in a prelude to massive nationwide protests planned by the opposition this weekend demanding Mohammed Morsi’s removal. For the past several days, Morsi’s opponents and members of his Muslim Brotherhood have battled it out in the streets of several cities in the Nile Delta in violence that has left at least five dead. The latest died today from injuries suffered in fighting the day before, security officials said.