Conflicts escalate in Egypt

A blood-stained flag as a sign of protest. Egypt has not calmed down after the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi. When the military opened fire on his followers, more than 50 people died, and nearly 400 other demonstrators were injured.

Both the military and the demonstrators refuse to be blamed for the massacre. Morsi followers protested in front of the Republican Guard officer's club - peacefully, they claim.

Supporters of the ousted president say they aren't responsible for the violence. The military, they claim, attacked them for no reason during their morning prayers.

Military officials say the gunmen wanted to attack the officers' club. There had been rumors that Mohammed Morsi was in the building.

Regardless of whether the protestors or soldiers caused the violence, the street battles in Cairo have driven the Egyptians near the brink of civil war.

"The 'Freedom and Justice' party has called on Egyptians to oppose those who want to undermine the revolution with tanks and armored vehicles and stop at nothing," according to the Muslim Brotherhood on their facebook page.

To end the bloodshed, the Salafist Nur party had agreed before the protests to participate in talks to form a government. The Salafists have now decided to abandon the talks with immediate effect, according to party spokesman Nader Bakkar, as blood flows in streams.

Egyptian interim president Adly Mansour is now trying to calm down things. On Monday evening, he suggested holding parliamentary elections within six months. The Islamic-dominated constitution is to be revised before then.

Mohamed ElBaradei, who had been seen as a possible interim prime minister, has called for an independent review of the events. "Violence breeds violence," he warned.

The situation remains tense. The military presence is high, and the Islamists are preparing themselves for further clashes across the country. The German Federal Foreign Office warns against traveling to Egypt under the current circumstances.

Morsi supporters can also be found scattered around Germany. Egyptians living in Berlin's Neukölln district, for instance, have taken part in protests demanding the reinstatement of the ousted president.