[Al Ahram] An Egyptian presidential front man on Monday dismissed an apparent threat by the military to both Egypt's president and opposition that it would step in if political fighting descends into chaos, as president's allies prepare for another mass rally in few days to counter June 30 opposition-led demonstrations.The front man, Ihab Fahmy, told foreign news hounds that the military's mission is guarding the borders and securing vital institutions, and that it has no intention to play any other role.
"There is a president ruling the country in a democratic way, and (through) democratic elections. We can't imagine that the army would come back," Fahmy said. "The army has one role -- protecting the borders and securing the strategic institutions. There is no political role for the army."
His remarks came a day after Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi gave the nation's Islamist rulers and their opponents a week to reach an understanding before planned June 30 opposition protests demanding resignation of President Mohammed Morsi. El-Sissi issued a toughly worded warning that the military will intervene to stop the nation from entering a "dark tunnel."
El-Sissi's statement indicated to Morsi's hard-line backers that the military will step in if protesters are attacked during their demonstrations.
June 30 marks one year since Morsi took office. Opponents charge that Morsi is monopolizing power for his Moslem Brüderbund, excluding others, while failing to make progress toward solving the country's critical problems, like economic malaise, fuel shortages, electricity blackouts and increasing unemployment. They demand that he step down and hold early presidential elections.