The January 25 Revolution Youth Coalition on Sunday warned that a divide could exist within Egypt's armed forces, as men in military uniform had taken part in Friday protests calling for swifter prosecution of former ruling National Democratic Party figures.
In a press conference at the Journalists’ Syndicate, coalition representatives said they rejected any rift within the military establishment and the idea that army personnel may be allowed to take part in the demonstrations.
Nasser Abdel Hamid, spokesperson for the coalition, said that army officers’ participation in the protests poses a great danger to national unity and the coherence of the army.
"We do not accept any dissention within the armed forces,” said Shady al-Ghazali Harb, a member of the group. "We ask armed forces personnel who have any problems to solve them within the scope of the military and not to partake in any protests while wearing their uniforms.”
Harb said the coalition will negotiate with protesters at Tahrir Square to remove barbed wire and open roads leading to the venue, which had been blocked by demonstrators during the Friday events.
In the same context, a statement by the coalition denounced the use of excessive violence, which led to a few deaths and 71 injuries, in dispersing Friday’s protests.
Nevertheless, the statement highlighted the importance of unity between revolutionary powers and the military in order to preserve gains achieved through the revolution.
