Cairo: Sami Anan, Egypt’s former Chief of Staff and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), has resigned from his position as military adviser to President Mohammad Mursi.
Anan resigned in solidarity with the masses opposing the president and his policies, which he characterised as oppressive and tyrannical.
Anan called on the “brave Egyptian armed forces” to show once again that they are a model of sacrifice and patriotism by siding with the will of the people and their legitimate demands.
The SCAF has ruled the country during the interim period after the fall of former President Mubarak on February 11, 2011.
Meanwhile, a military source told Gulf News that a number of special forces units are preparing to be deployed in various squares “to protect the people of Egypt against any violence expected in the coming hours”, especially after broadcasting the military statement.
Egypt’s army on Monday issued a veiled warning to the embattled President Mohammad Mursi, giving him 48 hours deadline as “a final chance to respond to the people’s demands”, as a huge number of protesters flooded the streets demanding the Islamist leader step down.
Meanwhile, security sources told private newspaper Al Youm Al Sabeh (The Seventh Day) that the army arrested 15 guards of Khairat Al Shater, deputy of the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Ayman Sharaf is a journalist based in Cairo
