Ten Key Moments that led to Egypt Crisis

[Zahid Ujjan]

1.[Jan 25]Deadly Protests mark January 25 anniversary[/I]
Violence erupted across Egypt as tens of thousands of people took to the streets to deliver an angry backlash against President Mohammed Morsi, demanding he step down on the second anniversary of the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak. At least seven people were killed on the day, which echoed with chants of 'Down with the regime! Down with Morsi!. Specific demands included suspending the constitution and introducing an official minimum wage.
2.[Feb 1]The people of Port Said protest
The people of Port Said react with anger after Morsi imposes an emergency law and night curfew in the city following the killing of more than 40 people in street fights with security forces. Thousands joined night protests ignoring the ruling, with the army refusing to intervene.
3.[Feb 7]Security hiked after cleric issues fatwas on opposition members
Egyptian police increases security at the homes of prominent liberal opponents of the government, after hardline cleric Mahmoud Shaaban calls for their deaths, including placing a fatwa on Mohamed ElBaradei.
4.[Mar 7]Economic woes continue as IMF loan is rejected
Egypt rejects an offer of a $750m rescue loan from the International Monetary Fund. Finance Minister El-Morsi Hegazy said he had already begun implementing a full economic reform programme, entitling Egypt to a larger IMF loan. In the preceeding months, foreign currency reserves plummet to $13.5bn, down from $36bn in January 2011. Egyptians were hit by shortages of diesel fuel and rising prices of some basic commodities.
5.[Apr 7]Sectarian clashes place further strain on societal cohesion
Morsi condemns deadly clashes at the Cairo headquarters of the Coptic Christian pope as "an attack against myself". However, certain critics claim that Egypt under his rule has seen worse sectarian violence than during the Mubarak era. At the ensuing funeral several mourners called for the president and his allies to go, some chanting "The blood of Christians is not cheap, Morsi, you villain.
6.[Apr 20]Cabinet reshuffle fails to impress critics
Morsi told media that he would carry out a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle amid demands by opposition groups for a complete overhaul of the government. Weeks after, Egypt had nine new Cabinet members, including the finance and planning ministers. Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, a target of Morsi's critics, kept his job while three of the new ministers had ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
7.[May 7]Tamarod ramps up anti-Morsi campaign
Shortly after founding Tamarod, members of the group ramp up a campaign to collect signatures of people who want Morsi to step down, followed by fresh presidential elections. Promising a non-violent open-ended strike on June 30 - the anniversary of Morsi's first year in office - demanding that the revolution be returned to the people. The petition focused on the country's ailing economy, poor security and a lack of regard for the poor.
8.[Jun 30]Mass protests mark Morsi's first anniversary

Tamarod sees at least 14 million people, an unprecedented number, taking to the streets to protest against Morsi on the anniversary of his first term. Crowds filled the streets of Egypt's major cities, while in Cairo protesters marched on the presidential palace. Many Morsi supporters responded by coming out in large numbers, in defense of the president's legitimacy.
9.[Jul 1]Army imposes resolution ultimatum
Tamarod gave Morsi until 1500 GMT July 2 to quit or face an open-ended campaign of civil disobedience. The crisis deepened, with Morsi isolated by his government; with the tourism, environment, communication, and judicial and parliamentary affairs ministers all resigning. Later, the army gave Morsi 48 hours to meet the people's demands or face an imposed solution. The military's intervention was hailed by protesters, but Morsi's office rebuffed the ultimatum.
10.[Jul 2]Egypt braces for showdown
Morsi opponents pack Tahrir Square, while his backers join a sit-in in the Nasr City neighbourhood. The president held talks all day with army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi following the ultimatum. Resignations continued, with the the spokesmen for the presidency and cabinet quitting. Clashes between the rival sides left seven people dead, with gunmen killing 16 people and wounding 200 others at a Cairo rally supporting Morsi, stoking fears of further bloodshed. Morsi refused to quit, insisting on his constitutional legitimacy, and called on the army to withdraw its warning.