The Armed Forces warned political forces of intervening if they do not reach a solution to the ongoing stalemate in Egypt, a statement aired on television and posted on the official military Facebook page said today.
The statement came in response to nationwide protests Sunday, when millions took to the streets to demand the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi. Calls for civil disobedience and continuous protests have been made.
"The Armed Forces repeats its call to respond to the people`s demands and give everyone a forty-eight hour deadline to carry the burden of these historic circumstances. [The Armed Forces] won`t tolerate anyone doing less than what`s needed to carry their responsibility," the statement read.
The statement added that the Armed Forces would resort to announcing a road map for the future as part of its responsibility and in respect to the demands of the people, if political forces fail to solve the current stalemate.
The Armed Forces added its lack of interest in being part of the political process and in disrupting the democratic process. However, it indicated that national security has been endangered and that the situation has become precarious. That is why a previous one-week deadline was given for political forces to solve the problem, but there was no response, the military said.
Some of 30th June protests have been calling for a military take over as the only alternative to the ouster of Morsi. However, many also fear a military take over would hamper the road to democracy.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over the rule after the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak following mass protests in 2011. But its departure from power in 2012 was prompted by repeated protests, marked by violence.
Below is the Armed Forces statement:
Egypt and the world have seen protests by the great Egyptian people expressing their view and their will in a peaceful, civil and unprecedented manner. Everyone saw the movement of the Egyptian people and heard their voice with care and respect. It is indispensable that the people get a response for their move and their calls from all parties that hold responsibility in these dangerous circumstances.
The Armed Forces is a main part of the future and feels it has a national and historic responsibility to protect the nation. Accordingly, it confirms the following:
The Armed Forces won`t be part of the political circle or rule, and won`t accept surpassing the role that was drawn for it in the democratic thought that came out of people`s will.
National security is facing a real danger with the recent developments, which throws responsibilities on all of us, each according to their position and what needs to be done in order to fend off these risks.
The Armed Forces had earlier felt the danger of the current situation as well as the demands of the great Egyptian people. That is why it had set a one-week ultimatum for all political forces to come together and help the country out of the current crisis. But this week has passed without any initiative or act. This is what led the people to persistently and autonomously take to the streets in an impressive way, which has raised admiration and attention inside and outside of the country.
[This article originally appeared on Mada Masr.]