Morsy supporters offered ‘safe passage’ if they end sit-ins

In this July 31, 2013 photo, an Egyptian girl drinks juice as she joins supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsy outside the Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, where they have installed a camp.

Egyptian authorities are offering “safe passage and protection” for thousands of supporters of the ousted President if they end their marathon sit-ins in Cairo.

The offer was extended on Thursday by the Egyptian Interior Ministry, which is in charge of the police.

It comes a day after Egypt’s military-backed Cabinet ordered the Ministry to clear the two sit-ins in Cairo, arguing that they posed a threat to national security and terrorised citizens.

The offer of safe passage appears to be the first step in an effort by the country’s new leadership to end the marathon protests by Mohamed Morsy’s followers in an eastern Cairo district and in the capital’s twin city of Giza.