Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam al-Erian harshly criticized the latest speech given by Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday, in which he called on Egyptians to rally against "violence and terrorism" on Friday.
Erian, who is known for his controversial remarks, described Sisi as “a leader of a coup that kills women, children and those at prayer.”
He claimed the army chief had never gone to war, instead portraying Sisi as a sedentary office worker. "[You have] always been in your office to receive reports and plan conspiracies," he said.
After Sisi’s speech, Erian posted on his Facebook page: “Army general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed his point of view and told his [version] of the story, but it is the people’s right to listen to the other point from the same platform.”
“Isn’t there a rational man to advise him to release the legitimate president [Mohamed Morsy], to whom the majority of voters gave their vote in a free election, in order for him to speak his mind?” Erian wondered.
Regarding Sisi’s call for people to rally to mandate him to fight "potential terrorism," Erian addressed Sisi, claiming "relying on people will not help you with anything."
“Millions will actually protest, but to say to the leaders of the coup what they have been saying since [28 June], that they are against the coup and for legitimacy,” he added. “Your threats will not prevent millions from rallying.”
Around 100 people have been killed since the army deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on July 3, most of them supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood who died in street clashes with the military and Mursi's opponents.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
