Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt’s mass protest campaign against President Mohammed
Morsi has turned against the United States, deemed the leading supporter of
the Muslim Brotherhood regime.

The protests throughout Egypt have been highlighted by anti-U.S.
placards and slogans that portray President Barack Obama as the mainstay of
Morsi. Many of the protesters demanded the expulsion of U.S. ambassador to
Cairo, Anne Patterson.

“Obama Supports Terrorism,” a placard at the center of Cairo’s demonstration read.

Opposition leaders pointed to the refusal by the United States to condemn the human and civil rights abuses of the Morsi regime. Some claimed that Obama has signaled to Morsi in both statements and private messages that Washington would not demand democratic reforms.

So far, more than a million Egyptians have taken to the streets to demand Morsi’s resignation. At least 16 people have been killed in clashes between the protesters and Brotherhood fighters. On July 1, the
Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo were ransacked.

On July 1, Brotherhood gunmen opened fire on Egyptian security forces
outside Cairo. The forces arrested 15 bodyguards of the Brotherhood’s deputy
chief Khairat Shater.

Tattered posters of the U.S. ambassador littered Tahrir Square, the main
demonstration site against Morsi. Ms. Patterson has also been accused by the
Brotherhood of interfering in Egypt’s domestic affairs.

The opposition has given Morsi a July 2 deadline to step down. At the
same time, the Egyptian Army has threatened that it could intervene to stop
the violence.

“The Armed Forces repeat its call for the people’s demands to be met and
give everyone 48 hours as a last chance to shoulder the burden of a historic
moment for a nation that will not forgive or tolerate any party that is lax
in shouldering its responsibility,” the military said.

The Obama administration, which has been in daily contact with Morsi and
the military, has been on alert for an attack on the U.S.
embassy in Cairo. Secretary of State John Kerry said embassy staffers have
been offered to leave on vacation.

“It’s up to them whether or not they want to draw down,” Kerry said. “In
addition to that, we have a huge number of people who are actually on leave
and away because of vacation and home leave time. So, we believe our
embassy is appropriately staffed, and we believe it is appropriately
protected. And we’ve been in touch, obviously, with ambassador Patterson and
staying in close touch with people on the ground.”

  Anne Patterson, Egyptian protests target Obama as top supporter of Morsi regime, John Kerry, Khairat Shater, Muslim Brotherhood, seen as top supporter of Morsi, Tahrir Square