Egyptian forces have deployed tanks outside the presidential palace in Cairo after violent clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators left six people dead and more than 400 injured. The violence marked a major escalation in the dispute over Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s effort to hold a referendum on a new constitution later this month, shortly after he asserted wide-ranging powers. Fighting has continued through today with Morsi supporters and opponents clashing in the streets of Cairo. On Wednesday, opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei blamed Morsi’s government for the violence.

Mohamed ElBaradei: “We hold President Morsi and his government completely responsible for the violence that is happening in Egypt today. What is happening at the presidential palace at the moment, the violence, without protection of the country, is an announcement from the country and from the president that they do not uphold their responsibility to protect the country.”

In a bid to calm the unrest, Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekki has floated the idea of adding amendments to the constitution in consultation with the opposition.