Major General Mohamed Ibrahim, Egypt's interior minister, called on millions of citizens to take part in the referendum on the draft constitution in order to approve the legitimacy of 30 June protests.
“I call on the people to come out in millions at the voting booths,” Ibrahim said in a press conference Thursday. “We promise to make every effort to provide maximum safety on that day.”
He added that the Interior Ministry would deal with violators firmly in accordance with the law to thwart attempts to undermine stability and security.
“The police and Armed Forces have provided sacrifices and martyrs since 30 June to establish and uphold the will of the people, to maintain the stability of the homeland, and to continue the democratic process,” Ibrahim said.
Critics believe Egypt has returned to the Mubarak-era police state where freedoms are suppressed and activists are arrested.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
