Egypt Muslim Brotherhood calls for mass ‘anti-coup’ rally on Friday

In a statement on Wednesday, the group said the rallies will be held on July 26 across the country under the slogan “the people want to bring down the coup.”
 
The statement also said that “(General Abdel-Fattah) al-Sisi's threats are an announcement of civil war.”
 
Earlier in the day, Egypt's Armed Forces Chief General al-Sisi called on people across the country to pour into the streets on July 26 to show solidarity with the interim government.
 
In a speech at a military ceremony, al-Sisi noted that the nationwide rally would give the army a mandate to fight “violence and terrorism,” which have engulfed Egypt following the July 3 ouster of former president, Mohamed Morsi, by the country’s military.
 
Egypt's Tamarod opposition movement backed al-Sisi’ call for protests saying, “We call on the great Egyptian people to rally on Friday across Egypt to demand... Morsi's trial and to support the military in its upcoming war on terrorism.”
 
But senior Brotherhood politician Mohamed El-Beltagy slammed Egypt's army chief, saying “(al-Sisi) is announcing a civil war...The picture is clear. He is the one who gathered the crowds on June 30 to support the military coup and today he is gathering the crowds for Friday.”
 
At least 14 people have been killed in clashes between Morsi’s supporters and opponents since Monday. The interior ministry has warned of a firm and decisive response against lawlessness.
 
An AFP tally says that some 170 have lost their lives in clashes between supporters and opponents of the ousted president since the end of June.