"Morsi will win, complete his term and people will maintain his legitimacy," ex-supreme leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Mahdi Akef asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday ahead of a looming 4:30pm deadline by which the military announced they will take over if opposition and President Morsi do not come to an agreement.

For Morsi to stay is the only solution, otherwise ''chaos will ensue," said Akef amid calls for the president to leave office through protests international media has described as the largest in history.

"How will they [the army] face the millions that support President Morsi in the streets?" asked Akef.

Furthermore, the Armed Forces' 48-hour ultimatum issued on Monday to all political factions is "worthless," according to Akef.

Morsi and the opposition will reach a compromise that will end the current crisis, Akef predicted to Asharq Al-Awast.

Akef's statements come after Morsi addressed the nation late Tuesday with declarations of "defending his legitimacy" as president and some concessions. His proposals include forming a new government; hastening the passage of parliamentary elections laws so as to hold elections within six months; forming a committee to review proposed constitutional amendments; resolving disagreements over Egypt's pivotal prosecutor-general position and promoting the inclusion of youth in government.

Morsi also called on the army to withdraw its "warning;" in reference to the 48-hour ultimatum.

In response to Morsi's speech, the masses in Tahrir Square and at Al-Qobba and Ittihadiya presidential palaces chanted loudly, "Leave, leave," with demonstrators declaring that sit-ins would continue nationwide until demands for snap presidential elections were met.

The pro-Morsi camp, mostly demonstrating at Rabaa Al-Adawiya Mosque in Nasr City, greeted the speech with fireworks and pro-Morsi chants.

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