The head of Egypt’s army warned today of “the collapse of the state” if the political crisis in the country is not solved. Protests and violence continued overnight as thousands defied curfews imposed by President Mohammed Morsi.
Some 60 people have died since the unrest began last Thursday. After the president declared a state of emergency, marches took place in Port Said, Ismailia and Suez.
Today Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, army chief and defence minister, told military cadets: “Continuation of the conflict between the different political forces and their differences over how the country should be run could lead to the collapse of the state and threaten future generations.”
The comments were posted on the armed forces’ Facebook page.
The latest riots, in Port Said, were sparked by death sentences for 21 football fans involved in deadly riots last year. Opponents of the Islamist president have taken to the streets in the wake of the Egyptian revolution’s second anniversary.
Opposition parties rejected a call by Mr Morsi for a national dialogue. They say they want a national unity government and steps taken to change the disputed constitution.
