Egypt army chief calls for protests against violence
Al Sisi, who ousted President Mohamed Morsi, urges people to take to streets in support of army, police against 'terrorism'
Egypt's army chief has called on Egyptians to hold mass demonstrations to voice their support for the military to put an end to "violence" and "terrorism."
Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who ousted elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on July 3, said Wednesday he wants Egyptians to take to the streets on Friday in support of a campaign by the army and police against "violence" and "terrorism."
Related stories:
- Morsi supporter killed in Cairo protest march
- Egypt to reevaluate Syria ties after coup
- At least 6 killed in new Cairo violence
It was a thinly veiled reference to stepped up attacks blamed on suspected Islamic militants against security forces in the Sinai Peninsula and the deadly clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsi that have killed dozens.
A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood said that Al-Sisi's call amounts to a threat against the group.
"Your threat will not stop the millions from continuing to gather," Essam El-Erian wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday, calling Sisi "a coup leader who kills women, children and those at prayer."
Around 100 people have been killed since the army deposed Morsi on July 3, most of them supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood who died in street clashes with the military and Morsi's opponents.
Reuters contributed to this report
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
