Egypt’s army gave the Muslim Brotherhood until Saturday afternoon to sign up to political reconciliation, a military official said on Thursday, after the army issued a veiled threat to use tougher tactics against the group.

“We will not initiate any move, but will definitely react harshly against any calls for violence or black terrorism from Brotherhood leaders or their supporters. We pledge to protect peaceful protesters regardless of their affiliation,” the official said, saying they had 48-hours to comply.

The army deposed President Mohammed Mursi, a Brotherhood politician, on July 3 and installed an interim administration that has set out a roadmap for a new political transition leading to parliamentary elections in about six months.

Earlier, the army signaled it would change its strategy for dealing with “violence and terrorism” after protests it has called on Friday. In a statement posted on a Facebook page affiliated to the army command, the military said it was ready to turn its guns on anyone involved in either.

Washington urges for restraint

Meanwhile, The White House on Thursday urged the Egyptian military to exercise “maximum restraint” and to do its utmost to prevent clashes between rival protesters.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest also said Washington was concerned about “any rhetoric that inflames tension” after Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on Egyptians to take to the streets to show their support.

“The administration has urged the security forces to exercise maximum restraint and caution,” Earnest told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Barack Obama headed for Florida.

Mursi supporters and the army that toppled him prepared for rival protests on Friday.