Egypt Islamists call for demonstrations, accuse businessmen and Gulf states of stirring chaos

CAIRO – A gathering of Egyptian Islamist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood, from which the president hails, is calling for mass demonstrations to counter an opposition protest campaign scheduled for the end of the month.

Leaders of the groups at the Wednesday news conference also leveled accusations against a list of figures who they said were plotting chaos, including two businessmen prominent under ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak, other ex-officials from his regime, a private television state, and unnamed Gulf states.

President Mohammed Morsi and his allies frequently accuse the opposition of sewing disorder, but rarely accuse specific individuals.

The group called for a June 21 rally at a mosque near the presidential palace. The opposition calls for protests on June 30, the one-year anniversary of Morsi's taking power, to demand his ouster.