The leader of Egypt’s military has condemned continuing unrest on the streets of Cairo and urged people to turn out and vote in this week’s constitutional referendum.
Supporters of ousted president Mohammed Mursi who clashed with security forces on Sunday have vowed to boycott the poll.
After giving his clearest hint yet that he may stand as presidential candidate once the constitution is approved, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi wants a large turn out to give the document legitimacy.
“This constitution is one step further on the path to Egypt’s future. I will not say that the constitution is in your responsibility, I would say that Egypt is in your responsibility,” said al-Sisi in a televised address.
Over 220,000 police and 500 combat units are to be deployed for the January 14 /15th referendum.
The vote is a key element of a transition plan unveiled by the military-backed government last July after democratically elected Mursi and his Islamist Muslim Brotherhood were removed from power.
