Germany: Morsi supporters swamp Chancellery as Sisi meets with Merkel

Dozens of demonstrators loyal to former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi gathered outside the German Chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, protesting German Chancellor Angela Merkel's meeting with current Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Protesters carried anti-Sisi placards, several emblazoned with the Rabia sign, the four-fingered hand gesture commonly used by activists and politicians who oppose the military coup d'etat that deposed Morsi in 2013. Many of the demonstrators shouted slogans including "Morsi is the democratically chosen president" and "Dictator out." El-Sisi is in Germany as part of a four day European tour and is meeting with Germany's President Joachim Gauck, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Merkel attempted to remain diplomatic during the joint press conference, saying that Germany has "made critical comments" about this before, but wants to support Egypt in finding "its own identity." Prior to el-Sisi's visit, the Human Rights Watch together with Amnesty International, Front Line Defenders, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) sent a letter to Angela Merkel urging her to take a stand against human rights violations in Egypt.