Egypt army general calls for mass rallies

Egypt’s army chief called on Wednesday for mass rallies to back a crackdown on “terrorism and violence”, in comments a senior Islamist quickly slammed as a “threat,” vowing to press protests.

With tensions already running high following the army’s ouster of president Mohamed Morsi on July 3, the call by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for demonstrations raises the prospect of further violence on the streets between the pro- and anti-Morsi camps.

“Next Friday, all honourable Egyptians must take to the street to give me a mandate and command to end terrorism and violence,” said Sisi, wearing dark sunglasses as he took to the podium to address a graduation ceremony of military cadets near Alexandria.

The general said that before he announced Morsi’s ouster, he had warned the Islamist president he must either resign or hold a referendum.