Egypt: Military warns of "disastrous consequences"

Egyptian riot policemen guard a gate of the presidential palace, background, amid ongoing protests, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. / AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

CAIRO Egypt's military warned Saturday of "disastrous consequences" if the crisis that sent tens of thousands of protesters back into the streets is not resolved, signaling the army's return to an increasingly polarized and violent political scene.

The military said serious dialogue is the "best and only" way to overcome the nation's deepening conflict over a disputed draft constitution hurriedly adopted by Islamist allies of President Mohammed Morsi, and recent decrees granting himself near-absolute powers.

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No compromise for Egypt's President Morsi

"Anything other than that (dialogue) will force us into a dark tunnel with disastrous consequences; something which we won't allow," the statement said.

Failing to reach a consensus, "is in the interest of neither side. The nation as a whole will pay the price," it added. The statement was read by an unnamed military official on state television.

Egypt's once all-powerful military, which temporarily took over governing the country after the revolution that ousted autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak, has largely been sidelined since handing over power to Morsi weeks after his election.

But it has begun asserting itself again, with soldiers sealing off the presidential palace with tanks and barbed wire, as rival protests and street battles between Morsi's supporters and his opponents turned increasingly violent.

The statement said the military "realizes its national responsibility in protecting the nation's higher interests" and state institutions.

At least six civilians have been killed and several offices of the president's Muslim Brotherhood set on fire since the crisis began on Nov. 22. The two sides also have staged a number of sit-ins around state institutions, including the presidential palace where some of the most violent clashes occurred.

Images of the military's elite Republican Guards unit surrounding the area around the palace showed one of the most high-profile troop deployment since the army handed over power to Morsi on June 30.

A sit-in by Morsi's opponents around the palace continued Saturday, with protesters setting up roadblocks with tanks behind them amid reports that the president's supporters planned rival protests. By midday Saturday, TV footage showed the military setting up a new wall of cement blocks around the palace.

Tensions have escalated since Morsi issued new decrees granting himself and an Islamist-dominated constitutional assembly immunity from oversight by the judiciary. The president's allies then rushed through a constitution and he announced a Dec. 15 nationwide referendum on the charter.

Morsi has called for a national dialogue and scheduled a meeting on Saturday, but opponents say he must first cancel the referendum on the draft constitution and rescind his recent decrees.

Only veteran liberal opposition politician Ayman Nour attended the meeting with Morsi on Saturday. The other eight delegates were Islamists.

The president has insisted his decrees were meant to protect the country's transition to democracy from former regime figures trying to derail it.

[Filmguy870]

Morsi is probably toast.

[joesapper]

The comments stand along with the people of Egypt , assad in the making or a wise Leader .

[realtimecoffee]

Depends on the deal he cuts with "his" generals.

[abby_del_abbey]

The Arab Spring is turning into a dark winter -- the totalitarian theocracy has begun.

My heart breaks and prays for the people of Egypt who so much wanted freedom and a democracy.

P.S. America, this is why you never, ever want a theocrat to lead you...

[Filmguy870]

Total Word!

[Rick_Carter1]

As I said before, President Morsi needed to make these contested actions of his part of his official political platform when it came to originally getting elected, if he really wanted it to constitute democracy. It is a little bit late to do that now. - RC

[Rick_Carter1]

(The American people were never interested in my services along much these same lines, so now I have no choice but to leave them to their own devices. Have fun, everyone!) - RC

[Rick_Carter1]

(It is also a little late for the American people to be availing themselves of my services. Ya !!!!!!!) - RC

[audemus]

Imagine all this taking place in the United States, and it's possible given the deep and abiding polarizations happening all across the many political and socio-economic spectrums in our country. All that's missing, (as yet), is that spark of ignition carelessly and ignorantly tossed into an accumulating, volatile mixture of combustibles...much like a casually discarded cigarette butt flicked from a moving vehicle while its occupant listens to Beethoven's Concerto For Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Opus 61...the whole while visualizing himself to be some sort of funky combination of Savior and World-Class Violinist...all Red Flag Warnings ignored.

[KrissyTina9]

Goodbye, Morsi, goodbye. That power went straight to his head, no chaser. This is what happens when you suddenly get a lot of power, then forget how to handle yourself.

[USER_NAMES_ARE_DUMB]

If Morsi chooses to impose martial law to ramrod his Islamist constitution down the throats of the Egyptian people, then the United States should not give Egypt or their military another penny ever again.

[retmw1]

With our debt we shouldn't be giving any country foreign aid.

[realtimecoffee]

User is right, Ret is more so.

[Southern_Liberal]

I just had a very enlightening conversation with an Egyptian national who has been here for quite a while but still has family in Cairo and Southern Egypt. He explained that the problem, at least as the Egyptians see it, is that the current Egyptian leaders have no experience leading the country and are not moving forward but are instead reverting to the old system. The Egyptian people want to see minority groups treated fairly. This is the goal of the protests. He also said that the military will not turn on the Egyptian people. He said firmly that "Those days are over." He also said that this would be resolved soon because those the various political groups are working on a compromise at this very moment. He in no way mentioned outside agitators or any power other than that of the Egyptian people being at work.

[AttyFAM]

More like 400 years for America to get where it is today, and that built upon a previous 400 years of development in England from the Magna Carta. We were also aided immensely by The Enlightenment and its effect on the founding fathers.

By contrast, modern Egypt only dates from the Revolution of 1917, and even thereafter until 1952 its reformed monarchy was under the indirect thumb of England. And while Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak were secularists, there has been no sacred provision enshrined in a constitution that religion and state must be kept separate. There will, therefore, be bumps in the road, but I bet that the next constitution addresses the role of mosque and state.

[KansasCity-2012]

It is true, that the longer it takes to get government operating, the more opportunity windows will be open for that nation's enemies to penetrate and overtake it.

The best transition rarely satisfies a majority at first. Nation building is often a violent process.

Recently, we saw similar behavior in Pakistan, where nuclear weapons are known to exist.

Resisting radicals often calls for hardliners to take control and survive.

My prediction for Egypt is it will enter a violent and chaotic era while their government tries to stabilize itself and repel radical sectarian elements who are often violent.

[Jonseen]

The radical sectarian elements are the ones who have seized the government... using democracy to do it! But once in power, they have given themselves greatly expanded power to establish shariah law and establish the President as a Dictator...

"...the nation's deepening conflict over a disputed draft constitution hurriedly adopted by Islamist allies of President Mohammed Morsi, and recent decrees granting himself near-absolute powers."

This is not the way Democracy is supposed to used. It's a nightmare, actually. Egypt is a country in great distress, and it's tragic.

[joesapper]

The Gov was getting along ok until the reach for pharoh status of rule by Morsi.
Your majority remark is Morsi's problem , not an Egyptian problem.

The court has rejected Morsi's reach for dictator , the Morsi game is exposed and it is the same rule as Iran with Morsi being the Ayatollah , with the voice of total control that cannot be questioned .

Morsi demanded the release of the blind terrorist in USA custody , within hours of taking office , so your voilence comment is exposed for the radicl statement it is . The women of Egypt have rights , and that is also supported by the majority .

[wesleym58]

It would appear the Egyptian people equate democracy with absolute liberty. But such an idea is untrue. You can't find absolute liberty or freedom anywhere... not even in America. Why you ask? Because of the Patriot Act, which restricts American's constitutional rights in the war on terrorism.

Egyptians under President Mohamed Morsi, presumed he would open the floodgates to constitutional liberties once in power; meaning all constraints they experienced under Mubarack would be removed for good.

This compels one to assert today that the uprising in Egypt smacks of foreign agitators, spearheaded by Coptic Christians and Jews worried that they will be the first oppressed if the Muslim Brotherhood takes total control of the Egyptian government. That they would be far worse off than if they were still under the Mubarack regime.

President Morsi as I have said all along has a definite political plan for Egyptians. His plan does not intend to harm his own people they being the Egyptian people. True, uncertainty and mistrust often causes people to rebel, especially when they are at the mercy of powers and forces beyond their immediate control or understanding.

But I must say bluntly, this uprising appears to be excessive hysteria on the Egyptian people's part rather than a reasonable objection by means of a political debate. Therefore one must conclude that hidden forces, whether internal or external, are behind the violence and sectarian clashes. www.globalbabbler.com

[joesapper]

You point to others as the problem , well the facts are not a concern for you , as it is apparently clear in your post sir , that the Egyptian people are not the ones behind this march for Egypt . Well it is more than clear that infact it is the Egyptian people that are standing for Egypt in protest as the ages of those taking to the streets against Morsi are of all ages , sex , and religions .

The range of Egyptians on the streets are clearly a strong sign of the unity of Egyptians . Young and old are speaking in unity and this is more than a signal that Egypt is in dispute with Morsi and not some dreamed up faction that you imagine sir.

The brotherhood is the group Morsi speaks fpr while the Folks on the streets speak for Egypt . This is one fact that is clear to all . So your interest is once again inline with twisted spin of a doctrine of desire for a brotherhood regime . Attacking Chirstians & Jews puts you in the rank & file of the anti west movement that applauds attacks against the USA , like in Libya and the other 26 Embassaies .

Enjoy .