Egypt army chief calls for protests to authorize military action against ‘violence and terrorism’
Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for nationwide rallies to give the military a mandate to confront what he termed violence and terrorism following the removal of President Mohamed Morsi.
The Egyptian army is calling for more protests to authorize military force against violence and terrorist photo one of the protesters in June 2013
In a speech on Wednesday at a military graduation ceremony, Sisi called for the protests to be held on Friday, and denied accusations that he had betrayed Morsi.
“I ask … that next Friday all honest and trustworthy Egyptians must come out,” Sisi said in remarks broadcast live by state media. “Why come out? They come out to give me the mandate and order that I confront violence and potential terrorism.”
He added that the plan is still in place, the constitution will be reformed and new elections will occur within six months.
Sisi said that the protests should not be a call for violence and expressed support for efforts for national reconciliation.
The Muslim Brotherhood reacted quickly, with senior member Essam al-Erian issuing a statement directed at Sisi saying: “Your threat will not prevent millions to rally against coup … You have been always in your office conspiring.”
The army chief’s speech came ahead of proposed “national reconciliation” sessions called for by the interim leader Adly Mansour, and followed renewed violence in and outside the capital Cairo, in which at least three people died.
