Morsi Rebuffs Calls to Step Down

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi defiantly rejected protesters’ calls for him to step down in a late-night address, telling Egyptians he was willing to “pay my life to protect the legitimacy” of the country’s ballot box and Islamist drafted constitution, the Wall Street Journal reports.

His statement “came as protests over his rule erupted in deadly clashes late Tuesday, with just hours to go before Mr. Morsi faced the deadline of a military-imposed ultimatum to patch relations with the country’s opposition.”