Egypt FM warns of coup if protests persist
Egypt's foreign minister warned of a military coup if protesters continue mass demonstrations and don't follow a government-run framework for enacting gradual reform. Speaking to the Arab news network Al-Arabiya, Aboul Gheit cautioned that if "adventurers" take over the process of reform the military "will be compelled to defend the constitution and national security ... and we'll find ourselves in a very grave situation."
The comments by Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit were the second veiled threat this week from the regime of a direct military takeover if protests persist. The comments suggest there could be a new confrontation as protests have gained new momentum, growing in size and branching out into labor unrest erupting around the country.
