Egypt’s National Defense Council said it might consider declaring a state of emergency in areas of violence and called for dialogue with opposition due to the ongoing clashes in several governorates, Minister of Information Salah Abdel-Maksoud said on Saturday.
After extending the council condolences to the families of those killed in Friday's and Saturday's clashes between protesters and security forces, Abdel Maksoud called for a “broad national dialogue” between Egypt's political forces.
The Information Minister confirmed the military's neutral position and affirmed its role as a “guard of Egypt's democracy and Egyptian aspirations”.
“The council holds the right to declare a state of emergency and a curfew, if needed,” he added.
