Egypt army says ready to act to prevent conflict

Egypt's army issued a sharp warning to rival political factions on Sunday that it would not stand by if opposition rallies next weekend descend into conflict and it urged politicians to forge consensus.

In a statement, the head of the armed forces, Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he would not allow an "attack on the will of the people" and said politicians should use the week remaining before mass rallies against Islamist President Mohamed Morsi on June 30 to seek a settlement to their disputes. "There must be consensus among all," Sisi said. (Reuters)