TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Egypt's military leaders said on Wednesday that the army "will sacrifice their blood" to defend the Egyptian people. The statement was made after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi gave a speech, refusing to bow to the army's ultimatum.
"We swear to God that we will sacrifice even our blood for Egypt and its people, to defend them against any terrorist, radical or fool," said a post on the official Facebook page of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), headed by armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The post was made three hours after Morsi defied the ultimatum, emphasizing the army's resistance.
Yesterday, the Egypt's armed forces gave an ultimatum to President Mohamed Morsi to share power. They gave Morsi 48 hours to compromise, or have the army impose its own road map to save the country. In a widely broadcasted statement, Morsi rejected the request.
"The people of Egypt gave me the mandate for president. They chose me in a free election. The people created a constitution which requires me to stay with the constitution," he said. "I have no choice but to bear responsibility for the Egyptian constitution."
REUTERS | TRIP B
