Morsi declares state of emergency in 3 governorates and renews call for national dialogue

Saturday's funeral of 29 of the 32 victims of clashes in Port Said that broke out after a court in Cairo issued 21 death sentences to football hooligans. The funeral lead to renewed clashes and more deaths.  

The Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi on Sunday declared a 30-day state of emergency in Port Said, Suez and Ismailia, three governorates which have witnessed deadly clashes since the second anniversary of the Egyptian revolution on 25 Jan. In tv-speech Morsi said that during these 30 days a curfew will be in place from 9 pm to 6 am. In his speech Morsi  saluted the army and police for "their efforts to protect the country" and called the action by protesters ''against the law and incited by counter revolution. The Egyptian people reject such actions, which are condemned by honorable revolutionaries."
Health Ministry and hospital sources put the death toll from violence in Port Said at 38. Another victim died Sunday after being shot during clashes the day before, Abdel Rahman Farag, senior health official at the Port Said branch of the Health Ministry, said.
Farag told private satellite channel Al-Hayat that 457 people were injured Sunday, with 419 people suffering from tear gas inhalation and 38 sustaining injuries from live bullets and birdshot.The situation escalated in Port Said Sunday after the funeral of 29 victims of clashes that broke out following a court recommended death sentences for 21 people convicted of involvement in the Port Said Stadium violence last year, in which 72 football fans died.

Tahrir Square on Friday 25 JKsanuary 2012, the commmemoration of the 25 January revolution of 2011 (Ahram online) 

In Sunday's tv speech Morsi also reiterated a call for national dialogue, which he described as necessary to overcome the ongoing turmoil that has plunged Egypt into deep economic and political crises. "We have no option but to engage in a dialogue, this is the only way to pass the current phase and achieve stability. I decided to invite the political figures for a national dialogue tomorrow'' (Monday).
The National Salvation front, Egypt's main opposition, earlier listed five demands that included forming a new government and amending the "distorted constitution", which was approved by around 64 per cent of Egyptian voters in a national referendum last month.