"The continuing conflict between political forces and their differences concerning the management of the country could lead to a collapse of the state and threaten future generations," Gen Sisi, who is also Egypt's defence minister, said. He said the economic, political and social challenges facing Egypt represented "a real threat to the security of Egypt and the cohesiveness of the Egyptian state". The military deployment along the Suez Canal was meant only to protect the key shipping route, one of Egypt's main sources of foreign revenue, and described the army as "a pillar of the state's foundations", he added." BBC
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In the ME, such a public statement by the Defense Minister of a country is a clear warning to the head of state that the army will intervene politically if unrest does not end.
Mursi has proven ineffective in managing Egypt's internal political processes and seeks to consolidate his hold on power through the use of declarations of martial law and violent police action in the streets.
His secular opponents are unlikely to desist from their own street action against him and the stage looks increasingly set for a coup d'etat, or inkilab askari in Arabic. pl
