Egyptian Army Warns it’s Considering Entering the Fray

The head of the Egyptian army issued a statement on Sunday warning that troops are standing by, ready to protect “the will of the people” as violent demonstrations continue to rack Cairo. Two people were shot to death in clashes that foreshadow major rallies planned by parties opposing President Mohamed Morsi next week, calling for his resignation. Morsi’s supporters have responded by taking to the streets in raucous demonstrations of their own. General Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who both heads the army and serves as defense minister, called on political groups to form a national consensus to end the unrest. In his statement, Al-Sisi said, “There is a state of division in society and the continuation of it is a danger to the Egyptian state and there must be consensus among all,” declaring that, “We cannot allow a violation of the will of the people.” The two men killed overnight were Islamists; and both were declared by the Muslim Brotherhood to be “martyrs.”