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Death toll rises to 12 in Egypt unrest

Egyptian supporters of ousted president Morsi show a blood-stained shirt of one of the victims during clashes with Republican Guards forces in Cairo, Egypt, July 08, 2013. UPI/Ahmed Jomaa
1 of 3 | Egyptian supporters of ousted president Morsi show a blood-stained shirt of one of the victims during clashes with Republican Guards forces in Cairo, Egypt, July 08, 2013. UPI/Ahmed Jomaa | License Photo

CAIRO, July 23 (UPI) -- With deadly clashes showing no signs of dissipating, a spokesman for Egypt's acting president vowed Tuesday the country "will not be a second Syria."

The confrontations between supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi had left at least 12 people dead in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Giza and Qalioubiya, and 86 injured as of Tuesday, The New York Times reported.

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State news media reported a spokesman for interim President Adly Mansour issued a warning directed at Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, saying, "Egypt will not be a second Syria, and those who push in that direction are traitors," the Times said.

"Those wheezing as they chase foreign media, and who run after the capitals of the West to falsify the facts of the revolution and the Egyptian state, will only get shame and disgrace," he said.

Mohamed ElBaradei, a vice president in Mansour's government, called for "transitional justice and national reconciliation," saying it is Egypt's "only option," the Times said.

"I pray to God that we understand that violence doesn't dress wounds, it opens new ones." he said.

ElBaradei urged the country's new justice minister to investigate the July 8 killings that left dozens dead and the recent killings of three pro-Morsi demonstrators in Mansura.

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The latest round of clashes in Cairo and elsewhere in the country began Monday. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters, Ahram Online reported Tuesday. There were reports demonstrators from both sides were armed with knives and guns.

Morsi's family meanwhile threatened to take action against Egypt's military chief and Defense Minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who they accused of "kidnapping" their father.

Morsi was ousted July 3.

At a press conference Monday at Cairo's Engineers' Syndicate, the family accused the government of "illegal detention." Morsi's son Osama said the family is considering approaching the International Criminal Court and filing a suit against el-Sisi for the "crime he committed against democracy," Ahram Online said.

Ever since Morsi's ouster the National Alliance for Legitimacy Support, a coalition of Islamist parties has conducted nationwide protests and sit-ins demanding he be reinstated.

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