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Egyptian army 'ready to intervene to stop conflict' | Egyptian army 'ready to intervene to stop conflict' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The army in Egypt has warned it will not allow the country to descend into "uncontrollable conflict". | The army in Egypt has warned it will not allow the country to descend into "uncontrollable conflict". |
The comments by army chief Gen Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi came a week ahead of planned mass protests by opponents of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. | |
He said the army was obliged to stop Egypt plunging into a "dark tunnel". | He said the army was obliged to stop Egypt plunging into a "dark tunnel". |
The remarks are seen as one of the strongest interventions since the army handed over power to President Morsi last year. | The remarks are seen as one of the strongest interventions since the army handed over power to President Morsi last year. |
Consensus plea | |
At a meeting with soldiers on Sunday, Gen Sisi, who is also the country's defence minister, said the army would "not remain silent as the country slides into uncontrollable conflict". | |
"There is a state of division in the society, and the continuation of it is a danger to the Egyptian state. | |
"There must be consensus," he stressed. | |
Gen Sisi also met the president on Sunday for what an army spokesman described as a "routine" consultation, according to Reuters news agency. | |
Gen Sisi's comments come as Egypt's secular groups plan mass rallies ahead of the 30 June anniversary of President Morsi coming to power. | |
The groups say they have gathered 13 million signatures on a petition calling for the Islamist leader to step down. | |
On Friday, thousands of Mr Morsi's supporters marched across the country - in a show of support for the president. | |
The crowds chanted their allegiance, pre-empting the opposition demonstrations. | |
Mr Morsi's first year in office has been marred by constant political unrest and a sinking economy. | |
Many analysts say the instability and a continuing threat of violence have frightened away foreign investors and tourists. | |
There is increasing unemployment, particularly among the young, fuel shortages and a drain on reserves of foreign currency. |
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