WarSclerotic

Egypt’s Morsi preps decree for martial law – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Reports suggest president will allow military to crush protests, arrest demonstrators

AP, Roi Kais

With thousands of protesters still crying for his ouster on Cairo’s streets, President Mohamed Morsi has prepared a decree to impose martial law, according to Egyptian media.

Morsi hasn’t issued it yet, but the order comes on the heels of the military warning of “disastrous consequences” if the crisis is not resolved.

The al-Aharm newspaper reported that the government has allowed armed security forces to assist the police in “maintaining the country’s safety and stability” including arresting protesters.

The decision is pending Morsi’s approval but signals a new stage in the struggle between the country’s new Islamist leader and his secular opponents.

According to al-Ahram, Morsi is slated to announce “the participation of security forces in defending vital national institutions” very soon. The defense minister is slated to determine the extent of the military’s role.

An unnamed military official said on television that dialogue is the “best and only” way to settle differences over Morsi’s recent power grab and a draft constitution slated for referendum vote next Saturday, reports the New York Times.

“Anything other than (dialogue) will force us into a dark tunnel with disastrous consequences; something which we won’t allow,” the official said, reports the AP.

Reaching no consensus “is in the interest of neither side,” he said. “The nation as a whole will pay the price.”

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