Military official says Brotherhood has 48 hours to join political reconciliation after army rally call, Reuters reports

Supporters of Egypt’s deposed president and his opponents predicted blood on the streets ahead of what could be a violent day of mass protests, summoned by the Muslim Brotherhood and the army in a struggle for the country’s future.

Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew President Mohamed Morsi on July 3, has called on Egyptians to take to the streets on Friday to show their support for action against “violence and terrorism”.

Some pro-Morsi supporters are stocking up with bandages and syringes ahead of the mass rallies and those holding tent vigils fear violence and military crackdown, the Reuters news agency reported.

Al Jazeera’s Nadim Baba, reporting from Nasr City, said that there were a large number of people camped out and that the demonstrations have been peaceful, with both sides claiming that only a minority have been involved in clashes.

Ultimatum

The army has also given the Muslim Brotherhood until Saturday afternoon to sign up to political reconciliation, a military official said, after the army issued a statement saying it might use tougher tactics against the group.

 

“We will not initiate any move, but will definitely react harshly against any calls for violence or black terrorism from Brotherhood leaders or their supporters. We pledge to protect peaceful protesters regardless of their affiliation,” the official told the Reuters news agency, saying they had 48-hours to comply.

The army deposed President Mohamed Morsi on July 3 and installed an interim administration that has set out a roadmap for a new political transition leading to parliamentary elections in about six months.

Earlier, the army signalled it would change its strategy for dealing with “violence and terrorism” after protests it has called on Friday.

In a statement posted on a Facebook page affiliated to the army command, the military said it was ready to turn its guns on anyone involved in either.

Al Jazeera’s Nicole Johnston, reporting from Cairo, said that the military rally call has the backing of most of the liberal and secular groups in Egypt. But our correspondent said that these groups are accusing the Brotherhood of inciting violence.

Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, head of the interim cabinet, said there was escalating violence by increasingly well-armed protesters, citing a bomb attack on a police station.

“The presence of weapons, intimidation, fear – this causes concern, especially when there are calls for many to come out tomorrow from different sides,” he told a news conference.

Meanwhile, in a recorded statement, the deposed prime minister Hesham Qandil has laid out his plan to restore order. He called for the release of all detaineed arrested since June 30 and for a delegation to visit and ensure the well-being of Morsi.

The White House has urged the Egyptian army to exercise restraint and caution and has said it is concerned about rhetoric that inflames the tensions.