Egypt braced for more protests

Egypt is bracing for rival rallies between supporters and opponents of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.

Factions on both sides have called for a day of demonstrations after prayers on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan as tensions within the country continue to escalate.

On Thursday, the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's power base, had vowed to keep protesting until he is reinstated, despite the fact that much of the group's leadership has been detained by the army, calling into question its ability to mobilise effectively.

The anti-Morsi camp has also called for rallies, including a mass iftar, the breaking of the Muslim fast, in Tahrir Square which has been the epicentre for demonstrations against the ousted president.

Egypt's new prime minister said on Thursday he does not rule out Muslim Brotherhood members in his cabinet, even as the group vowed to keep defying the military action that resulted in Morsi's fall from power.

Hazem al-Beblawi, who was appointed on Tuesday, said he was still considering the make-up of his interim government.

"I don't look at political association... If someone is named from [the Brotherhood's] Freedom and Justice Party, if he is qualified for the post he may be considered," Beblawi said.

"I'm taking two criteria for the next government. Efficiency and credibility."

The Brotherhood has already rejected a Beblawi offer to join the new government, and called a mass rally for Friday against what it called "a bloody military coup".

In Cairo, the bloody run-up to Ramadan has marred the onset of the holy month.

In the bloodiest incident, clashes around an army building on Monday left 53 people dead, mostly Morsi supporters.

Police were hunting for the Brotherhood's Supreme Guide, Mohammed Badie, after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday.

Morsi is currently being held in a "safe place, for his safety," foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty told reporters on Wednesday, adding that the former Egyptian leader had not been charged with anything to date.

Military and judicial sources have said the ousted leader may face charges eventually.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon raised concerns about the detention of Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders during a telephone conversation with the country's foreign minister, a spokesman said.

Ban reaffirmed that there must be no "retribution" against any party, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters after the telephone talks between Ban and Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamal Amr.