Tense Egypt, Defiant President, Army Deadline

Clashes broke out as rival protests across the country overnight, reporting at least 16 pro-Morsi protesters killed at a demonstration at Cairo University.

Mr Morsi insists he is the legitimate leader and will not give in to "violence and thuggery" by resigning.

In a defiant televised speech on Tuesday evening, he too said he would give his life to defend constitutional legitimacy, and blamed the unrest on corruption and remnants of the ousted regime of Hosni Mubarak.

Calling for protesters to respect the rule of law, President Mursi urged the establishment of a committee of reconciliation as well as a charter of ethics for the media, and said he was prepared to meet all groups and individuals as part.

The army has said it will shed its blood to defend Egypt against "any terrorist, radical or fool". of a national dialogue process, and has given a deadline of around 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT) on Wednesday for the crisis to be dealt with.