Egypt Brotherhood leader demands Mursi reinstated

CAIRO (REUTERS/AFP) - The leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Mr Mohamed Badie, told a protest rally on Friday that he was ready to reach an understanding with the armed forces - but only after the movement's Mr Mohamed Mursi was reinstated as president.

As a military helicopter hovered low over the crowd, Mr Badie called on the army not to fire on its own people and said that demonstrations were stronger than tanks.

"Our bear chests are stronger than bullets," he said.

He had earlier called for mass rallies to continue until the Brotherhood could carry Mr Mursi "on our shoulders". The ousted president has been in military custody since his overthrow on Wednesday.

"Millions will remain in the squares until we carry our elected president, Mohamed Morsi, on our shoulders," Mr Badie told the cheering crowd.

The Brotherhood chief then went on to lead a chant of "Military coup!" and "Invalid!" with thousands of roaring supporters.

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