The Egyptian army threatened Monday to take over power if political forces failed to reach consensus over the future of the country. A spokesperson for the General Command of the Armed Forces, speaking in an audio statement broadcast by state television, gave all political groups in Egypt a 48-hour grace period to respond to the demands of the people. In case of failure, the armed forces will draw up a "roadmap" in conjunction with other political factions for running the country under the supervision of the army. The statement praised Sunday's protests against the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood and President Mohamed Morsy. On June 23, Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that the moral responsibility of the army towards the people compels it to intervene and prevent the country from sliding into a dark tunnel of conflict, internal strife, criminality and treason. This responsibility demanded the army save Egypt from the possibility of becoming a failed state. He has also called on all political forces to reach a formula of understanding and genuine reconciliation to protect Egypt and its people.
