A head of Egypt’s armed forces said the nation ought to launch demonstrations that are pro-military in nature in order to put a halt to the violence and show supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi they can’t control the new government.
Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi made the remarks in a nationally televised appeal, United Press International reported. He bluntly asked Egyptians to give him a “mandate” to take action against Mr. Morsi’s supporters and put an end to the widespread demonstrations.
His exact words, as UPI reported: “I urge the people to take to the streets this coming Friday to prove their will and give me, the army and police a mandate to confront possible violence and terrorism. The army and the police will secure the protests all over Egypt. We will never retreat when it comes to the proposed road map of the political transition.”
Mr. Morsi’s followers accused the general of inciting civil war, but Gen. el-Sissi also said in his television remarks that Egyptians should refrain from violence.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.