Egypt’s General al-Sisi calls for nationwide protest on July 26

Egypt’s Armed Forces Chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has called on people across the North African country to pour into the streets on July 26 to show solidarity with the interim government.

“On Friday, every honorable and honest Egyptian must come out. Come out and remind the whole world that you have a will and resolve of your own,” al-Sisi said in a speech at a military ceremony on Wednesday.

“Please, shoulder your responsibility with me, your army, and the police and show your size and steadfastness in the face of what is going on,” he added.

Al-Sisi noted that the nationwide rally will give the army a mandate to fight “violence and terrorism,” which have engulfed Egypt following the ouster of former president, Mohamed Morsi, on July 3.

Al-Sisi denied accusations of having betrayed the deposed leader, saying he had warned Morsi against the Egyptian crisis.

Sisi said the army only met people’s demands by overthrowing Morsi.

His speech came just hours after one person was killed and dozens wounded in a grenade attack on the security headquarters of Egypt’s northern province of Daqahlia.

Tension has intensified in Egypt since the military ouster of Morsi who is held in an undisclosed location.

Over 100 people have been killed in an unrelenting wave of violent clashes between Morsi supporters, his opponents, and security forces.