Start of Ramadan overshadowed by crisis

2013-07-10 49

It's a battle of the banners in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

As the first day of Ramadan dawns, supporters of deposed president Mohamed Mursi spell it out from their perspective.

The military maintain a watchful eye.

But this man says the sit-in will continue until the country's first democratically elected leader is returned to power.

On the other side of town in the anti-Mursi camp, so-called enemies of the military overthrow are stacking up.

One banner proclaims ''A revolution needs strength.''

This polarisation is reflected in the polity, as steps to establish an interim government and transition timetable are contested from all sides.

And legal battle-lines are also being drawn as authorities issued arrest warrants on Wednesday for Muslim Brotherhood leaders, charged with inciting violence.