In pics: No mercy for Morsi: 30 dead in clashes

Cairo, July 6: The city of Alexandria was nothing less than a scene of battlefield. With tanks and gun shots within war shot, it is difficult to understand whether the country is rejoicing the ousting of an "incapable" leader or is still fighting battles over his downfall.

Actually, it is the latter scenario that holds true. Morsi supporters didn't take his ousting in a very good light. And the problem compounded when they staged a protest and the police reacted with gun shots and tankers, killing three pro-Morsi supporters. And the rest is history as anger, passion and vengeance spread like wild fire across the nation.

Twelve people died in Alexandria and three in Cairo in clashes between supporters and opponents of the ousted President Mohamed Morsi, as per reports.

Army chopper surveys the situation

An Egyptian military attack helicopter flies over the presidential palace in Cairo. The Muslim Brotherhood has vowed to restore ousted President Mohamed Morsi to office, saying Egyptians will not accept "military rule" for another day.

Morsi supporter breaks down

A supporter of ousted Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi cries during a protest near the University of Cairo, Giza. The placard in Arabic reads, "Yes for the legitimacy".

Morsi supporters raise slogans

Supporters of ousted Egypt's President Mohamed Moris chant slogans during a rally in Nasr City in Cairo. Chief Justice of Egypt's Supreme Constitutional CourtAdly Mansour was sworn in on July 4 as the nation's interim president, hours after the military ousted the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Interim president sworn in

Egypt's Chief Justice Adly Mansour greets chiefs of the constitutional court after his swearing-in as the nation's interim president on July 4. He took over hours after the military ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Army takes guard

Egyptian soldiers secure the area around Nasr City, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters have gathered to support ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi's opponents celebrate his ouster

Fireworks light up the sky as opponents of Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi celebrate his ouster at Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 4.

In Cairo

Supporters and opponents of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi clash near Maspero, Egypt's state tv and radio station is located, in Cairo, Egypt.

Beginning of the clashes

The army ousted the leader over public protests against him, branding him as an incapable leader. The Tamarod movement accused Morsi of pursuing an Islamist agenda, against the wishes of many Egyptians. Moreover, he was alleged to have not been able to solve the economic issues faced by the nation.

The Brotherhood and the pro-Morsis believed otherwise, culminating into a protest that marched in the entire city. When they headed toward the headquarters of the Republican Guards, where Morsi is believed to be held. Police open fired, killing 3 and injuring a dozen.

Hours later, ten and thousands of Morsi supporters filtered in to join hands in the protest. Although the Brotherhood's supreme leader Mohammed Badie assured that the protests would be peaceful, things took a different turn when the mass headed toward the 6th October bridge over river Nile where the anti-Morsi protestors were gathered.

What happened then?

The same fireworks that were used to celebrate the ousting of Morsi were hurled. Stones were and addition. And both the parties took it from there. BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo, correctly describes the clashes in the follwoing words: "There is anger and passion on both sides - as well as a determination to win a battle for the streets which is making the capital a dangerous and volatile place."

That is not all, violent clashes were also reported in Qina in the south where troopers had to open fire on pro-Morsi activists trying to storm a security building. The Canal city of Islamiya was another place that saw protests and fire-fights. On an overall, 30 people were dead and around 318 were injured in protests across the city.

Ahead of Friday's protests, the army command declared that it would not take "arbitrary measures against any faction or political current" and would guarantee the right to peaceful protest, ultil the national security was threatened.

"Peaceful protest and freedom of expression are rights guaranteed to everyone, which Egyptians have earned as one of the most important gains of their glorious revolution," it further added. However, things took a different turn.

The swearing in

The head of Egypt's constitutional court, Adly Mahmud Mansour, was sworn in as the interim head of state on Thursday. He assured to hold elections soon. The following day, he dissolved the Shura Council or the upper house, which was dominated by Morsi followers.

Eventually, this body served as the only legislative body, post the dissolution of the lower house last year. Mohamed Ahmed Farid was appointed the new intelligence chief.