(Photo Public Domain)
A military coup is underway in Egypt according to the presidential adviser on foreign relations Essam Al-Haddad.
The adviser to President Mohamed Morsi published a statement on his Facebook page on Wednesday saying: “For the sake of Egypt and for historical accuracy, let’s call what is happening by its real name: military coup.”
Al-Haddad added that no “military coup can succeed in the face of sizeable popular force without considerable bloodshed. Who among you is ready to shoulder that blame?”
He claimed that hundreds of thousands had gathered in support of Morsi. “And they will not leave in the face of this attack. To move them, there will have to be violence. It will either come from the army, the police, or the hired mercenaries,” he said.
He warned that the ensuing bloodshed will send the message that “democracy is not for Muslims.”
Al-Haddad said there are people who justify the calls for early presidential elections by the large numbers of protesters calling for them. He recognised that these protesters represent a wide spectrum of Egyptians and that “many of them have genuine, valid grievances…”
However, he added that Morsi has repeatedly called for dialogue, which he said was repeatedly rejected by opposition. “The so-called liberals of Egypt escalated a rhetoric inviting the military to become the custodians of government.”
Al-Haddad’s statement was released while the entire nation waits in anticipation of a military announcement. The 48 hour ultimatum the military passed late Wednesday afternoon and at time of print military leaders were currently meeting with religious and political figures ahead of making an announcement.
