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CAIRO, June 30, 2013 (AFP)
Egypt’s army should intervene if President Mohamed Morsi refuses to step down in response to calls from anti-government protests, a leading opposition figure told AFP Sunday.
He was speaking Sunday as millions flooded the streets calling for Islamist Morsi’s departure on the anniversary of his turbulent first year in power, the biggest protests Egypt has seen since the 2011 revolt. “The armed forces must act, because they have always been on the side of the people,” which “has expressed its will”, said Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in the 2012 presidential election, running as a left-wing nationalist candidate.
“The Egyptians trust the armed forces,” and their chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had himself said he would respect the will of the people.
“The people are wondering where the armed forces are, and are waiting for General Sisi to keep his word,” he added.
The best outcome would be if Morsi went of his own accord, Sabbahi said: otherwise, “he will have to be forced to bend to the popular will.”
Sisi, who is defence minister, warned a week ago that the army could step in if serious violence broke out between supporters and opponents of the embattled president.
“The armed forces have the obligation to intervene to stop Egypt from plunging into a dark tunnel of conflict and infighting,” he said.
He did not say on which side the army would intervene. Earlier Sunday, a military source, speaking to AFP, said of Sunday’s turnout: “It is the biggest protest in Egypt’s history.”
“Millions” of people were on the streets across the country, he added.
