Army Spokesman Says No Time Frame Was Given to Combat Terrorism

General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi did not break his promise to the people, army spokesman Ahmed Mohamed Ali said on Friday.

When Sisi asked the people to mandate him to combat terrorism, he did not specify a time frame for taking steps, Ali stated in an interview with the London-based al-Hayat newspaper.

There is an attempt at Rabaa al-Adaweya Square to show that there is an inevitable battle between Islam and blasphemy, he added.

Sisi “did not say mandate me on Friday so I can take steps on Saturday,” the spokesman said.

The media misinterpreted the timing issue, he explained.

Ali expressed his hope that there would be a peaceful breakup of the sit-in.

“Nobody wants and the armed forces do not want to have the blood of Egyptians spilled,” he stated.

If you want to protest and stage sit-ins, even for years, it is possible, provided that it is all within a peaceful framework that protects human rights and does not harm others, Ali added.

The spokesman said that the military institution is well aware there are factions that want to get rid of the current situation in the street but time should not be a pressing matter.

He went on to say that the army hopes that protesters at Rabaa realize they are not in a confrontation with their army.

“We hope they understand there is a new reality, not a confrontation,” Ali added.

Source:Aswat Masriya