Egypt's National Defence Council 'reserves right to declare state of emergency'

Ahram Online, Saturday 26 Jan 2013

The council, which is headed by President Morsi and includes key military and police leaders, calls for dialogue with opposition, may consider imposing curfew in battle sites as clashes persist in several governorates

Mohamed Morsi
Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt’s National Defense Council said it might consider declaring a state of emergency in areas of violence and called for dialogue with opposition due to the ongoing clashes in several governorates, Minister of Information Salah Abdel-Maksoud said on Saturday.

After extending the council condolences to the families of those killed in Friday's and Saturday's clashes between protesters and security forces, Abdel Maksoud called for a “broad national dialogue” between Egypt's political forces.

The Information Minister confirmed the military's neutral position and affirmed its role as a “guard of Egypt's democracy and Egyptian aspirations”.

“The council holds the right to declare a state of emergency and a curfew, if needed,” he added.

 

Short link: