ran’s Deputy Foreign Minister: Respecting popular vote vital for Egypt stability

Egypt’s armed forces should play their role in supporting national dialogue and respecting the people’s vote, an Iranian deputy foreign minister says.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdullahian said on Monday that in the current situation in Egypt, the armed forces are expected to play their role in supporting national dialogue and respecting the votes of people.

Amir-Abdullahian added that Tehran saw the involvement of Egyptian people in the domestic affairs of the country as a national asset, and that paying attention to the popular vote contributed to stability in Egypt.

The Iranian official also commented on the fact that President Mohamed Morsi was chosen through national election, warning the Egyptian people against foreign plots.

On Monday, the Egyptian military issued a statement saying it will intervene if President Morsi and his opponents fail to resolve the deadly crisis of recent days within 48 hours.

Since June 30, millions of Egyptians have held protests nationwide to demand the resignation of Morsi and a snap election.

The Egyptian Health Ministry says at least 16 people were killed and over 780 were wounded on June 30 and July 1 during the unrest.

The massive protests coincided with the first anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration as president following the 2011 revolution that toppled the Western-backed regime of former dictator Hosni Mubarak.

The opposition movement behind the protests, Tamarod, has given the president until 5:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday to step down, or else face a campaign of civil disobedience.

Political commentators say the Egyptian government is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood. The opposition accuses Morsi of deviating from the 2011 revolution.

Morsi’s supporters, however, say the president is cleansing Egyptian institutions of corruption but he needs time to realize the ideals of the 2011 revolution.