Nour Party head Younes Makhyoun urged on Wednesday that all security measures taken with regard to the pro-Morsi sit-ins at Rabaa and Nahda Squares be conducted within the bounds of Egyptian law, avoiding any "assault" on human rights and freedoms.

In a special statement to Al-Ahram's Arabic website, Makhyoun responded with caution to the Egypt Cabinet's Wednesday announcement authorising the interior ministry to "take all legal measures" to control the "dangerous" situation at the pro-Morsi sit-ins.

Saying that the Cabinet's announcement was not unexpected, Makhyoun emphasised that all Egyptians have the right to free expression so long as it is peaceful and legal.

Supporters of former president Mohamed Morsi – deposed by army chief Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 3 July following nationwide protests – continue to press for his reinstatement through demonstrations that have often turned into violent clashes with police forces and unknown assailants.

Morsi supporters have also maintained two sit-ins, numbering in the tens of thousands, in Cairo's Rabaa Square and Giza's Nahda Square.

On Friday, tensions escalated near the Rabaa sit-in as police clashed with Morsi supporters, leaving at least 80 protesters dead.