Egypt's Morsi family say deposed leader won't negotiateOctober 14, 2013 - 11:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The family of deposed Islamist President Mohamed Morsi said on Sunday, October 13 he would not enter any negotiations or accept any compromises following a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood by military-backed authorities, according to Reuters. Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president, was ousted by the military on July 3 following mass protests against his rule. Authorities have since launched a crackdown on his Muslim Brotherhood, killing hundreds at protest camps and marches and arresting about 2,000 Islamist activists and group members. Morsi has been held in a secret location since his overthrow and has not been seen. He is due to face trial on November 4 on charges of inciting violence. "The president will not retreat, or negotiate or accept compromises especially after all the martyrs, the wounded, the arrested and missing," his family said in a statement carried on the Muslim Brotherhood's website (www.ikhwanonline.com). "No matter how much they try to keep him away, the president will not retreat from a return to the democratic path, even if his soul is the price of this democratic path," the family said in a statement to mark the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha. Morsi and other Brotherhood leaders accuse the army of staging a coup that reversed the gains of the 2011 revolt against Hosni Mubarak. The army says it was carrying out the people's will and has presented a plan it says will lead to free and fair elections. The Brotherhood has refused to take part in the transition, saying it would legitimize a coup. Neither side seems prepared to take part in an inclusive political process. In one of the bloodiest days since the military took power, Morsi supporters clashed with opponents and security forces last week, with state media reporting that 57 were killed. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |