Egypt’s Morsi: I’ve made mistakes
CAIRO ( AP) Ñ Egypt’s embattled president on Wednesday acknowledged making mistakes during his first year in office, addressing his troubled nation in a televised speech ahead of a planned mass weekend demonstration by opponents demanding his resignation.
President Mohammed Morsi pledged to introduce ``radical and quick’’ reforms in state institutions, while insisting he has been ``right’’ about some issues.
Opponents want him to resign and call an early election, charging that he and his Muslim Brotherhood are monopolizing power and failing to solve Egypt’s pressing problems.
Morsi was speaking at a conference hall filled by Cabinet ministers and senior officials of his Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party along with several hundred supporters. His speech lasted more than two hours.
He was interrupted repeatedly by supporters with applause or chants. The army chief was among those in attendance, and he clapped politely.
More than an hour into his speech, Morsi apologized to his people for the fuel shortage. `` I am saddened by the lines, and I wish I could join in and wait in line, too,’’ he said.
Morsi’s opponents calculate they can force him out through the sheer number of people they bring into the streets starting SundayÑ building on widespread discontent with his running of the country Ñ plus the added weight of the army’s declaration that it will protect them against attacks.
His backers say the mainly liberal and secular political opposition is fomenting a coup to remove an elected leader because they can’t compete at the ballot box.