Egypt Protesters Remain Despite Dispersal Threats

Supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi are continuing their rallies to call for his reinstatement, despite warnings that the government may soon move to break up their protest camps.

The two camps in Cairo have for weeks been a gathering place to speak out against the military's July 3 ouster of Mr. Morsi.

Western and Arab mediators and some senior members of the Egyptian government have been trying to persuade the army to avoid using force to disperse the protesters, fearing a new wave of bloodshed.

Officials had signaled action against the camps could begin as early as Monday, but at daybreak there was no sign of activity by security forces.  

Egypt's interim leaders had warned several times they would dismantle the sit-ins after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which ran through Sunday.

The protesters say they will not leave the sites until Mr. Morsi is reinstated.

Many protesters, expecting an imminent security push to clear them out, have begun fortifying their positions.
 
Vendors at Rabaa al-Adawiya have sold hundreds of gas masks, goggles and gloves to protesters readying themselves for police tear gas. Cement and wooden barriers have been constructed by protesters to keep armored vehicles from crushing the sit-in.