CAIRO (AA) – The National Alliance for the Defense of Legitimacy, a coalition of largely Islamist groups that support ousted President Mohamed Morsi, hailed Friday's pro-Morsi rallies, saying they had enjoyed a high turnout and "restored the revolutionary spirit."
Morsi supporters staged rallies in several provinces on Friday to denounce what they call the "military coup" against Egypt's elected leader and "reclaim the January [25, 2011] revolution," which toppled long-time President Hosni Mubarak.
The protests came in response to calls by the pro-Morsi alliance, which is led by the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which Morsi hails.
In a statement, the alliance said millions had responded to its protest calls, taking to the streets nationwide to defend Morsi's democratic legitimacy and demand the prosecution of those responsible for killing protesters in the wake of the Islamist leader's ouster early last month.
The pro-Morsi coalition also slammed a decision by the authorities to close three major Cairo mosques as "a blatant provocation of Muslims' feelings."
Authorities kept eastern Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque closed for the second week in a row on Friday due to ongoing renovations. The mosque was at the center of a six-week sit-in by pro-Morsi demonstrators that was violently dispersed by security forces on August 14, killing hundreds and injuring thousands.
The Fath Mosque in Cairo's Ramses Square, meanwhile, was also kept closed for the second consecutive week, due to what authorities describe as "repairs."
The mosque was the scene of another standoff earlier this month after pro-Morsi protesters took refuge inside the building to escape deadly clashes outside.
Authorities on Friday also closed the Iman Mosque in Nasr City in eastern Cairo, providing no reasons for the move.
The pro-Morsi coalition also said that "coup forces" had arrested dozens of peaceful protesters and used live ammunition and teargas to disperse demonstrators in several areas of the country.
Earlier on Friday, the Health Ministry said at least three people had been killed and dozens injured in nationwide violence that marred Friday's protests.
The Ahrar protest movement, meanwhile, said that six of its members had been killed in clashes with police in Cairo.
In an earlier statement, the pro-Morsi alliance had also called for a civil disobedience campaign starting Friday, calling the move an "effective measure against the coup leaders aimed at forcing them to reverse the coup and meet revolutionary demands."
Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was ousted by the powerful army on July 3 following mass protests against his presidency.
