(Photo by Haleem El Shaarani\DNE File)
The National Defence Council, led by interim president Adly Mansour, met on Wednesday night to discuss threats to national security, and asserted the state’s obligation towards guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of its citizens especially, the freedom of belief and expression.
It also asserted the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens regardless of their affiliations.
The council said the state will not allow anyone to terrorise its citizens or dispel internal peace and security and that it will take all necessary measures to deter outlaws and will pursue those who threaten the security of citizens.
It also said that within the realms of the law and human rights, the state will take all necessary measures to “dry up” sources of terrorism.
The meeting comes after Al-Sisi called on Egyptians to take to the streets to give him “a mandate and an order to confront potential violence and terrorism.” Rival rallies were announced right after his call, with pro and anti Morsi demonstrations planned across the counrty
The armed forces clarified in a statement made on Thursday that Al-Sisi’s call for protests was a continuation of the path of the 30 June Revolution “and did not carry any threats to certain political groups. It came as national initiative to face violence and terrorism…”
