Egyptian PM welcomes call for Friday demonstrations

Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Hazem Al Biblawy today welcomed Defense Minister and military chief General Abdel Fatah Al-Sissi’s call on supporters of the military-appointed transitional government to stage demonstrations on Friday. In a speech delivered at a military-academy graduation ceremony and broadcast on state television, General al Sissi called for massive demonstrations on Friday in support of the military’s intervention and its post-Morsi transitional road map. Addressing a press conference today, Al Biblawy stressed that anyone who try to foil tomorrow’s demonstrations will be dealt with firmly, so that security would be maintained because economy would not succeed with the restoration of security and the firm implementation of law. He added that the interim president, the armed forces and the police will support all who will take to streets to express their opinion without terrorizing or intimidating citizens, stressing that the government will strongly support the demonstration but, within the limits of law. He expressed conviction that the call of Sissi is far from feuding or confrontations between the demonstrators. Dr. Al Biblawy stressed that the protection of the peaceful protesters will be the responsibility of the government because if it failed to respect and enforce the law, this would means that it has failed, adding that the government will deal with the demonstrators on equal footing both at Al Tahreer Rabaa Al Adaweya squares, regardless of their trends. On the measures that will be taken with supporters of the deposed president orphaned after the mandate of the people for the army. Al Bblawi said the state is responsible for all of its citizens as they have the same rights and the same duties, but within the framework of the law and the interests. On the other hand, the National Defense Council emphasized that all state organs would not allow anyone to terrorize citizens or take up arms in the face of the state and the society or promote terrorism by words or action, attempt to blackmail the citizens or dispel internal peace and security. A statement released by the Egyptian presidency today said the National Defense Council held a meeting yesterday evening to discuss the latest developments and internal security situation in the country and to discuss the threats to national security both internally and externally. According to the statement, the Council reaffirmed the commitment of the State to ensuring the rights and freedoms of all its citizens, particularly the right to freedom of belief and freedom of expression through peaceful means without prejudice or threat to the security of society.