Egypt (and Beyond) Live Coverage: President Morsi Appeals to Security Forces

1304 GMT: Egypt. The European Union's Parliament has passed a resolution threatening to withhold budget support to Egypt if it does not take significant steps to abide by human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The EU allocated 5 billion Euros ($6.55 billion) in aid to Cairo for 2012-2013, conditional on respect of human rights, democracy and economic governance.

Parliament called for promotion of civil society, women's rights, and minority rights. It expressed alarm at the rise in violence directed towards women in Egypt, particularly female protesters and women's rights activists, and demanded the abolition of all laws granting police and security forces the right to use unmitigated violence against civilians.

Members also called for Egypt's judiciary to commute 21 death sentences handed down on 26 January over the deaths of 74 football fans in Port Said's stadium in February 201.

The EU body supported the Egyptian electoral commission's decision to postpone Parliamentary elections, following a court decision suspending the process, and called on the Government to use the opportunity to work on building political consensus ahead of the elections.

1252 GMT: Egypt. President Morsi has performed Friday Prayers at the Cairo headquarters of Central Security Forces.

Morsi's appearance follows the removal of CSF head Maged Nouh last week, amid strikes by CSF soldiers and officers in several governorates.

Morsi saluted all police and military personnel upon his arrival, then said in his address:

Beware, our outside enemy is seeking to create division among us, and we must not allow it,

Any obstacles you're facing, we will get through them --- together. You are the watchful eye of the homeland. The country's best interest needs your efforts and sacrifices.

You all know that our Egypt is going through a critical period, but with the aid of God and cooperation of the police and military, we will be able to pass through this phase.

Hundreds of police officers and soldiers in Cairo and in several governorates went on strike on Wednesday, demanding an end of perceived expansions of Muslim Brotherhood influence in the Ministry of Interior and the dismissal of the Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, appointed by Morsi in January.

Police officers also demand to be armed in order to defend themselves from "armed thugs".

The strikes prompted Ibrahim to remove the CSF commander, Major General Maged Nouh, on Friday.