Egyptian military warn Morsi supporters, Muslim Brotherhood to protest peacefully or face firm response
Egypt’s National Defense council has warned supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi that security forces would take “decisive and firm” action if protesters overstepped their rights, as thousands of those protesters stood their ground at multiple demonstrations across the country.
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The council called on protesters “not to exceed their rights to peaceful, responsible expression of their opinions”, warning that they would face “decisive and firm decisions and actions in response to any violations”.
Interim president Adly Mansour, army chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the prime minister and interior minister, issued the statement published by state news agency MENA on Sunday, after the council met late on Saturday.
The council requested Morsi supporters to “immediately announce their clear and categorical rejection of violence in all forms, and the immediate cessation of violence, terrorism and the verbal and physical abuse of citizens”.
The statement comes after 72 Morsi supporters were killed in violence at the Rabaa al-Adawiya protest site in Cairo early on Saturday.
The protesters accused security forces of using live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators, but the interior ministry said forces had fired only tear gas.
“I assure the people of Egypt that the police are determined to maintain security and safety to their nation and are capable of doing so,” Mohamed Ibrahim told a graduation ceremony at the national police academy.
“We will very decisively deal with any attempt to undermine stability,” said Ibrahim, who is in charge of the police.
