National Salvation Front say President Morsi lost legitimacy after standing by his contentious Constitutional Declaration in Thursday's speech, reject president's calls for dialogue after Wednesday's bloodshed 13:30Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie is seen preaching at Cairo's main mosque Al-Azhar as hundreds spill on the streets outside the gates of the building. A funeral prayer for those killed during clashes outside the presidential palace on Wednesday will be held after the Friday sermon. "We will sacrifice our blood and our souls for Islam,” the gathered worshipers chant. 13:15 As the sun rose above the Presidential Palace in the Heliopolis suburb of Cairo, Ahram Online journalist Bel Trew spotted the military building another security barricade in Merghani street: the scene of Wednesday's bloody clashes. The wall, which divides the street in half, is part of increased security around the palace - which has been manned by the Republican Guard since Thursday - ahead of expected protests. 13:00 Good afternoon, we open our live coverage of nationwide protests against President Mohamed Morsi's decision to stick by his decree and the constitutional referendum. Thousands are expected to converge on the Heliopolis presidential place from 17 venues across Cairo, Friday, in protest of President Mohamed Morsi's decision to stick by his controversial Constitutional Declaration and the upcoming constitutional referendum, as announced during his televised statement Thursday. In the long awaited speech, Morsi blamed “infiltrators” and “third parties” for causing the bloody clashes between Brotherhood supporters and protesters on Wednesday night at the presidential palace, which saw seven dead. He also accused opposition forces of “serving the interests of the remnants of the former regime” to overthrow his legitimate rule. The president refused to bow to the demands of opposition coalition the National Salvation Front, who demand he rescind the Constitutional Declaration and re-form the Constituent Assembly, saying that his recent decisions were necessary. However, Morsi called for Saturday talks with his opponents. This was promptly rejected by the National Salvation Front who said that following the recent bloodshed they could not open dialogue with the president while he “ignores the demands of the people.” There have been violent scenes across the country since Morsi issued his contentious decree, as rival protest groups meet and clash. Muslim Brotherhood and Freedom and Justice Party offices nationwide have also been attacked: Thursday night saw the Brotherhood headquarters in Moqattam torched by angry demonstrators.
