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‘Collapse of the State’: Egyptian Army Chief Warns of Nation’s Implosion if Political Crisis Continues

Jan. 29, 2013 7:52am Billy Hallowell

Abdel Fattah el Sissi Warns of Collapse of Egypt if Political Unrest Continues

In this Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 file photo, newly-appointed Egyptian Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, unseen, in Cairo, Egypt. Credit: AP

CAIRO (TheBlaze/AP) — The situation is Egypt only seems to be worsening. The nation’s army chief warned Tuesday of the “the collapse of the state” if the political crisis roiling the nation for nearly a week continues.

The warning by Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is also defense minister, were the first comments by the powerful military since the country’s latest crisis began last week around the second anniversary of Egypt’s uprising. They came days after President Mohammed Morsi ordered the army to restore order in the Suez Canal cities of Port Said and Suez — two of three cities now under a 30-day state of emergency and night curfew.

The attempts by Morsi to stem a wave of political violence appear to have made no headway as the country sinks deeper into chaos and lawlessness. So far, nearly 60 people have been killed in five days of unrest. The anarchist Black Bloc group, known for its more violent tactics, has also emerged within the resistance.

“The continuation of the conflict between the different political forces and their differences over how the country should be run could lead to the collapse of the state and threaten future generations,” el-Sissi said in an address to military academy cadets. His comments were posted on the armed forces’ official Facebook page.

On Sunday night, Morsi slapped a monthlong state of emergency and a night curfew on Port Said, Suez and Ismailiya, another city on the Suez canal.

Nevertheless, troops stood by and watched Monday night as thousands took to the streets chanting against Morsi in all three cities in direct defiance of the curfew just as it came into force for the first night at 9 p.m. The display of contempt for the president’s decision was tantamount to an outright rebellion that many worried could spread.

Some of the demonstrators in Port Said waved white-and-green flags they said were the colors of a “new and independent state” in the city. Such a secession would be unthinkable in Egypt, but the move underlined the depth of frustration in the strategic city on the Mediterranean coast at the northern tip of the Suez Canal.

An Egyptian protestor holds up a banner as demonstrators march in the streets of the canal city of Port Said late on January 28, 2013 breaking the curfew the government imposed on the city and two other provinces after attacks on police stations following death sentences passed on January 26, against 21 supporters of a Port Said football club over stadium violence last year that killed 74 people. President Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, declared a month-long state of emergency in Port Said, Suez and Ismailiya provinces where around 50 people were killed and hundreds wounded over the weekend. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

El-Sissi, who was named defense minister in August, acknowledged the difficult challenges facing his troops in the cities where they deployed.

“The deployment of the armed forces poses a grave predicament for us insofar as how we balance avoiding confrontations with Egyptian citizens, their right to protest and the protection and security of vital facilities that impact Egypt’s national security,” he said.

Morsi is the first freely elected president in Egypt. But since coming to office nearly seven months ago, he has failed to tackle the country’s massive political, social and economic problems ranging from an economy in free fall to surging crime, chaos on the streets and lack of political consensus.

An Egyptian protester flashes victory signs near a police vehicle on fire in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on January 28, 2013. Egypt’s main opposition bloc rejected an invitation by President Mohamed Morsi for talks on the violence and political turmoil sweeping the country and instead called for fresh mass demonstrations. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

The wave of unrest has touched cities across the country since Thursday, including Cairo, the three Suez Canal cities, Alexandria on the Mediterranean in the north and a string of cities in the Nile Delta.

The violence first erupted Thursday and accelerated Friday when protests marking the two-year anniversary of the 2011 uprising turned to clashes around the country that left 11 dead, most of them in Suez.

The next day, riots exploded in Port Said after a court convicted and sentenced to death 21 defendants – mostly locals – for a mass soccer riot in the city’s main stadium a year ago. Rioters attacked police stations, clashed with security forces in the streets and shots and tear gas were fired at protester funerals in mayhem that left 44 people dead over the weekend.

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Comments (52)

cdb
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:28pm
And our illustrious leader wants’ to sell this country F-16 fighters and M-1 Abrams main battle tanks??? Well after all, this country is run by his newest best buddies, the Muslim Brotherhood after all. My guess is that this is what was being discussed during all those white house meetings with the brotherhood. Not a Muslim, maybe not, but Obama sure as hell has their best interest in mind, not ours.

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- HavocK
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:46pm
  Hmmm…
  
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threegeese
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 1:43pm
While we namby-pamby about talks on assault guns, what we really should be concerned about are all the ASSAULTS on the American people.

Lies and cover ups are mounting as fast as our national debt.

My concerns about the Twin Towers have not been satisfied with just the death of Bin Laden…nothing has been resolved. My concerns about Benghazi have not been satisfied just because a hearing has been held. My concerns as to where all our tax money has been going are not satisfied…we need a budget and we need accountability.

We need heads to roll in Washington and we need people to be held responsible for their actions.

I don’t give a damn how many calories are in a potato chip…I want to know how much the government paid to determine this and how much are they paying for a ‘bag’ chips.

If it were up to me, I’d ‘waterboard’ the whole Congressional lot until I came up with some answers that I’m satisfied with.

The American people are getting screwed up the ying yang and yet we move at a ‘turtle’s pace.’ WE need to put more pressure on those that we have hired and let them earn their pay for a change…change in the right direction!

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cosmic dogma
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 12:55am
islam…bla…bla…bla…violence…bla…bla…bla…rioting…bla…bla…bla…murders…bla…bla…bla…chaos…bla…bla…bla…USA sending money to fund more violence, murders, chaos and rioting…bla…bla…bla… Who isn’t PROUD to be part of the continuing bloodshed? That would be me. Why are we borrowing money to GIVE AWAY to unstable and unfriendly regimes? Idiocy.

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dmerwin
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:07pm
Can anyone tell me why I should care if Egypt collapses? Syria? Good riddance!

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Whatmeworry-never
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 2:19pm
Citizens of Egypt push harder do not stop now, this is your last gasp of freedom, if you fail now the Muslim Brotherhood will kill you. Throw the bums outandform a true free government. Good luck.

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- cowgirl_up
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:19pm
  Didn’t our noble and beloved president, who is wise beyond measure, just send 20 or so jets over there? I wonder what Morsi will do with his new toys!!
  
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toledofan
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 1:01pm
It should be clear that the Egyptians, who had some freedom before under Murbank, are totally dissatisfied with loosing any more of their freedoms to the Brotherhood. It’s equally clear they don’t want to be another Iran and ruled under Sharia law. What is the President to do, the dilemma he created now will unravel and the region will get more inflamed. Here comes the calvary, John Kerry.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 1:08pm
  None of our business. How’s that for a novel idea?
  
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barber2
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:01am
Do you ever get the feeling that democracy will never catch on with these Islamic fanatics ?!

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:33am
  Why should we care? When did we become so nosey?
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 2:41pm
  Jihad Jerk why do you care that we care and why are you so nosy about why we care? Nobody mentioned adolph? Why do you lalalalalalalalala at every turn?
  
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jman-6
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:37am
WOW! It’s an awesome time to be alive as we see bible prophecy fulfilled right before our eyes! This is nothing but Isaiah 19′s prophecy coming home to roost. Next up will be Psalm 83 & Isaiah 17! If you know history you would know that Egypt was a Christian country before being forced to convert to Islam by Hassana with the help of the Nazis! It will fail economically as GOD moves to allow the conversion back to HIM! PRAISE HIM!! GOD SPEED!

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- momrules
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:04am
  Jman-6………..It is exciting isn’t it?
  
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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:06am
  Stop playing God’s scheduler.
  
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- jman-6
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:18pm
  Mom- Yes indeed we need to just keep looking up as our Redemption draws nigh!
  Jerk- Don’t worry I’m not as arrogant as you! Name is so appropriate! Anyhow just a little FYI-the bible dedicates 26% of the scriptures to prophecy! Furthermore it states that we are to study to show ourselves approved the WHOLE WORD of GOD so we can Rightly Divide IT! As a biblical scholar I understand the importance that GOD placed on ‘Watchman on the Wall! I’ll pray for your apparent lack of understanding the part concerning judging others!
  
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- momrules
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:24pm
  JERK…………I will stop expressing my opinion and beliefs when you stop believing there is a Jew behind every bush trying to destroy or take over the world. Until then you can……….fill in the blank little man. With your phenomenal imagination it should not be a problem for you.
  
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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 1:01pm
  Jman/Mom, end times is great. My point is that you don’t know the mind of God. You haven’t a clue when the end times are coming. And, that’s from the mouth of Christ in Mathew… so?
  
  And, Mom. Tzion told me that there’s a Jew behind every Bush. Was he lying?
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 2:35pm
  Every blade of grass Jihad Jerk, every single one. Shoring up converts to the reich again huh?
  
  Report this comment
ozchambers
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:23am
Now that Egypt is run by pro-Iranian Islamic terrorists, I’m all for the uprising.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:35am
  Pure propaganda. Who cares what happens in Egypt? In Israel? They’re all two-bit nothing nations. We’ve got bigger problems. Focus on America.
  
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- jman-6
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:27pm
  Jerk- I’m beginning to think your either a Muslim or you have severe problems with all that anger n rage towards the Jewish nation and its people! Everything is important when it comes to Israel as the future prophectic fulfillments will show you! You really need to take your problems to GOD and he will give you rest as well as solve the biggest issue and that concerns Salvation!
  
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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 1:07pm
  Jman-6, the very fact that I talk about Israel so much is the point. For a two-bit nation based on the same principle of ethnic purity as the Nazis, it gets way too much attention in our press. If you desire to talk about Israel, prophecy, and all things Jewish, do so. Just do it in your private, little, Bible sessions, and keep it out of the secular world. Stop using it to persecute others. Stop using it to judge others. It’s very nonreligious.
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 2:39pm
  Don’t call him Jihad Jerk for nothing. Lalalalalalalala. So Jihad Jerk, digress a bit: was it a flawed diamond or a gay Israeli that rebuffed your advances? Two-bit romance off the tracks?
  
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jackact
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:19am
I guess John Kerry will attempt to continue to sell the ‘Arab Spring’ lie?
:(

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- jman-6
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:38am
  Don’t worry bout what America is doing this is GODS foreign policy and trust me HE has everything under control!
  
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:52am
.
I smell a Bloody Coup……

Let’s just hope they wipe each other out, or at least thin the herd a little………

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- SamIamTwo
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:22am
  IIRC the secular Arabs are against the Islamic nuts in control. When they voted that nut case in they, the secular ones, said they would give it a chance and it could not be worse than the previous dictator…so now they are upset and the military (trained by US) has it doubts that the nutters in control will be able to evenly highhandedly manage the nations…not sure if it will be a coup but rather a new election…only the shadow knows!
  
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cloudsofwar
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:38am
ah the arab spring watch it crash and burn. obama screwed it up like everything else he touches. just like here.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:00am
  Ahhhh, the Arab Spring. I think that it could use a lot of Irish Spring.
  
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spfoam1
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:33am
I will not be surprised if the military has to take control of the country again. Morsi is a muslim first and an Egyptian second, who couldn’t care less about the non-muslim popuation in Egypt. If Morsi has his way he will eventually send the Egyptian military into a war against the west, and the military leadership there knows that is a death sentence for them and Egypt.

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13th Imam
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:28am
What difference does it make?

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- SwampFoxHiggy
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:50am
  lol nice Hilary Clinton impression
  
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momrules
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:25am
It’s kind of hard to see where the military stands, with the Morsi dictatorship or not. Since I do not believe that Morsi will change or step down I guess we wait to see if the military starts firing on the Egyptian protesters.

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- ozchambers
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:21am
  The military has been weeded of Morsi foes for quite some time. They are firmly in the fundamentalist Islamic terrorism camp now.
  
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Watcher1952
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:15am
This administration help to oust Mubarack so they could put their boy Morsi in there. The Brotherhood took over from there and the people of Egypt are in the same situation, they don’t like it. Yes we are selling F-16′s and Tanks and for what purpose but to put the people down and in their place. AMERICA…..wake up the same thing will happen right here….they are already practicing in Florida and Texas with the helicopters in neighborhoods……Prepare Prepare Prepare

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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:22am
  We are NOT selling them tanks and fighters. they are a free gift
  
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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:28am
  Arm the enemy @ no charge. Unarm the law abidung U.S. Tax payer citizens.
  Barry will be one of the all time mass murderers of all times.
  
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- mycomet123
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:18pm
  Personnally believe that the communist sitting in the white house is providing weapons to use against Israel. I believe that this was all preplanned. Egypt is the gate of hell!
  
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Jeff Bassett
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:15am
Obviously, this information must be wrong.
The Obama administration and state department just shipped over 20 F-16′s and 200 tanks as they said this is a very stable regime despite GOP and Pentagon concerns.
Looks Like Morsi does not know his own country and it’s interest as well as Obama does.

Or we have the most incompetent state department along with a President that really wants to plunge the middle east into chaos. But to do so, he would need to run weapons into the area illegally, cause uprisings, back stab Israel, take out leaders and install Islamic extremist…………..

Anyone else getting a weird feeling about all this, bueller? bueller? bueller? anyone? anyone?

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:15am
Every dime sent to an Islamic state supports the nation of Islam? After the debacle of Libya, where we could not track the safety of four Americans, how can you look at this report, and then give any military equipment to Egypt, especially advanced heavy equipment and state of the art air craft, how are you going to track several hundred of those?

It took 90 days to even begin Congressinal hearings on the Libya matter, imagine giving Egypt these weapons, and they disappear, you will never figure out what happened to them, if we compare the way they handled Libya with the potential coverage of future debacles?

Take time to be a dad, make a budget? These things will take care of themselves without the assistance of the United States, besides, if China starts arming South American countries, you might need the stuff you got, and not worry about supporting an Islamic religion?

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walnutportconservative
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:11am
This is a result of a Clinton run State Department. Cut funding NOW.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:10am
Damn Barry it looks like your Arab spring is unpopular,you installed your MB friend Morsi and he’s got some problems eh? Maybe Morsi has some female bodyguards like Gadaffi had,let’s ask Gadaffi how good his female bodyguards are,wait we can’t ask.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:05am
So when is Obama going to send in American troops to ‘stabilize’ the situation for the dictatorship of the Muslim Brotherhood?

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:15am
  Since Barry thinks he’s a king he’ll probably send them quickly,congress won’t stop him because they’re a bunch of candy@sses.
  
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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:16am
  Snow this would be a good job for the gays in the military. Send them. Solve two problems @ once
  
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Hell of the Upside Down Sinners
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:04am
Its goodf thing we are giving them 16 F16′s and 200 Ambrahms tanks on the tax payer dime. Hope they get there just after the regime collapses this way noone has direct control over them. Dont know which is worse, these things in Morsi’s hands or the uprisers hands. Good job Obama! Think maybe you can resind a deal to deliver these items made with Mubarak now that the country is being led by a west hating Muslim Brotherhood leader. WTF is wrong with this country?

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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:12am
  Egypt has their morsi. We have our spoiled man child Obama.
  Not sure which is worse.
  
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dublinthewagons
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:04am
Obozo the community organizer will solve their problems. More tanks and fighter jets.

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Gonzo
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:59am
let’s see if Obama is as willing to throw the Muslim Brotherhood under the bus as he was Mubarak.

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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:06am
  Definately not. He loves trouble makers & killers
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:11am
  GONZO, I don’t know, but he is still hot and heavy to get those F16s and M1 tanks over into that mess. All, while still not knowing who or what will control the country and military upon their arrival.
  
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