Rival rallies between Egyptian opponents and supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi took place throughout Friday, reportedly claimed as many as four lives. The Egyptian military had removed the Muslim Brotherhood-linked former president from power in the aftermath of mass anti-government protests calling for his Islamist-oriented administration to step aside.

Morsi’s Islamist supporters quickly vowed indefinite protests, many of which erupted into violence. Clashes broke out again earlier this week, marked by “running battles with firearms, bottles and rocks.”

In response General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on Egyptians to stage anti-violence rallies. The New York Times described the scene at a Cairo rally:

Mr. Morsi’s supporters and opponents began flooding into the streets in mass dueling protests early on Friday, as the military set up checkpoints throughout the city. In Tahrir Square here in Cairo, tens of thousands of flag-waving people cheered the military takeover, as helicopters flew low over the crowd and families posed for photographs with soldiers next to their armored vehicles. Many in the crowd held up posters of Egypt’s defense minister, Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, who ousted Mr. Morsi on July 3 and had called on Wednesday for demonstrations that he said would give him a “mandate” to fight terrorism.

The AFP quoted Morsi supporters. Some declared they would march peacefully. Others, less so:

However, Abbas al-Ibrahim was adamant he would defend himself against any attack on the peaceful demonstration. “We will kill everyone who kills our freedom,” he shouted. “We voted for this president … now we will die in this place to secure his return,” he added. Political unrest across Egypt has killed nearly 200 people since the massive protests on June 30 that led to Morsi’s overthrow.

[Photo: worldnews.nbcnews.com]