CAIRO (AP) — The top leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has vowed to restore ousted President Mohammed Morsi to office, saying Egyptians will not accept “military rule” for another day.
General Guide Mohammed Badie, a revered figure among the Brotherhood’s followers, spoke Friday before a crowd of tens of thousands of Morsi supporters in Cairo. A military helicopter circled low overhead.
Badie addressed the military, saying “your leader is Morsi” and demanding they abide by their pledge of loyalty to the president, calling it “the honor of the military”
He called on Egyptians to protest, saying “we will not be deterred by threats or detentions … or the gallows.”
“God make Morsi victorious and bring him back to the palace,” he said. “We are his soldiers we defend him with our lives.”
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
The top leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, released from detention, is delivering a speech at the main rally in support of the ousted president, vowing to “gain our rights.”
Mohammed Badie, the Brotherhood’s general guide, had been taken into custody by security forces soon after the military ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood.
Moments before Badie appeared on stage Friday, the Brotherhood’s political party said in a Facebook post that he had been released from custody.
“Free revolutionaries, we will continue the path,” he led the crowd of tens of thousands in a chant.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
