U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged Egyptian protesters to refrain from violence even as he encouraged the administration of President Mohamed Mursi to make progress regarding the country’s economy and security.

Outburts of violence have hit Egyptian towns in recent days, leaving at least four people dead and dozens injured as hundreds of men have been involved in rock-throwing street skirmishes between supporters and opponents of Egypt’s Islamist president.

The opposition plans mass protests this weekend, calling for Mursi to resign. He shows no sign of doing that and is expected to blame the deadlock that has aggravated an economic crisis on resistance from those loyal to his ousted predecessor Hosni Mubarak.

Mursi, who marks his first year in office on Sunday has given little hint of the contents of a speech due to start after 9:30 p.m. at a Cairo hall before an invited audience. Aides have indicated he will defend familiar positions, though there has been speculation he might also reshuffle his cabinet.