Group warns Egypt against ending sit-ins by force

An international human rights group has warned Egypt's new interim leadership against ending sit-ins by loyalists of ousted president by force, saying all measures must be taken to avert a "bloodbath."

The statement by Human Rights Watch came as Mohammed Morsi's followers called for new mass rallies across the country on Friday in defiance of a government order to disband. Nadim Houry from the New-York-based group says Egyptian authorities need to "avoid another bloodbath" and "ensure the ongoing right of protesters to assemble peacefully." (AP)