Egypt's military-backed government has warned supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi to disperse their protest camps in Cairo, promising them a safe exit if they give up without a fight — but there were fears of possible violent clashes Friday amid the ongoing political unrest. Police called on pro-Morsi protesters to end their sit-ins voluntarily in two parts of the capital, as did the interior minister on state television, after the government warned Wednesday that it would take action if necessary to end the protests. Late Thursday afternoon, army helicopters overflew a sit-in for about half an hour while protesters remained defiant, a witness told NBC News. Meanwhile, officials warned residents nearby not to accept any strangers into their homes as they tried to clear the square.
