MORSI MEETS DEFENSE MINISTER AFTER ARMY’S 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM
Cairo, 23 Sha’ban 1434/2 July 2013 (MINA) – After the army’s 48-hour ultimatum, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi met late with Defense Minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Monday.
Earlier, on Monday el-Sisi issued an ultimatum for all parties concerned to find a solution for the current impasse or the army would intervene.
The meeting tackled recent developments and the protests engulfing the country, the presidency said in a short statement obtained by Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
But the statement not clarify whether the army’s 48-hour ultimatum was raised during the meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Hisham Qandil.
“We give all parties 48 hours to respond to the people’s demands,” the army said in a statement read out on state television by Sisi.
The army warned that if the parties concerned failed to achieve a breakthrough within 48 hours it will announce a roadmap and certain measures and it will supervise their implementation.
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians had taken to the streets on Sunday both pro and anti-Morsi.
Muslim Brotherhoodmuster all themasses
The Muslim Brotherhood has called on supporters to gather nationwide in a show of support for the embattled Islamist president, few hours after the army issued a 48-hour ultimatum.
According to sources of the Brotherhood, that instructions have been issued to members in Cairo to assemble in Rabaa Al Adawi square in Nasr City.
Thousands of Morsi’s supporters have been camping out in Rabaa Al Adawi to reject opposition demands for his resignation and early presidential elections.
The sources argued that those campaigning in Rabaa Al Adawi represent only 30% of the group’s support base.
They asserted that the Brotherhood has decided after the army statement to rally all its supporters to show their real numbers.
The Muslim Brotherhood promise will not resort to violence under any circumstances. (T/P09/E1).
Mi’raj News Agency.
