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Morsi Attacks Opposition, Further Infuriates Egyptians

In a highly anticipated speech, President Morsi offered little new on national reconciliation and confirmed to his opponents that he is incapable of confronting the worsening challenges the country faces.
Protesters raise their shoes while chanting anti-Mursi and anti-Muslim Brotherhood slogans in Tahrir square as they listen to President Mohamed Mursi's public address, in Cairo June 26, 2013. Mursi offered opponents a say on Wednesday in amending a controversial new constitution and a forum to seek "national reconciliation", as he sought to avert a violent showdown in the streets. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX112DX

CAIRO — “Here comes the fool.” This colloquial Egyptian saying echoed across Cairo’s Tahrir Square as soon as President Mohammed Morsi appeared on the big screen erected by opposition movements to follow his much anticipated speech. Hundreds of protesters held shoes in the air in a scene reminiscent of the 18-day uprising in January 2011 that ousted the three-decade rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

Despite having little hope for reform or having their demand for early elections fulfilled, a few thousand protesters gathered in the square on the night of June 26 carrying red cards and banners emblazoned with slogans demanding the president’s exit and eagerly awaiting what turned out to be a two-and-a-half-hour sermon composed primarily of attacks on the media, opposition, judiciary, former presidential candidates and alleged conspirators.

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