CAIRO – Egypt's military warned Saturday of “disastrous consequences” if the crisis that sent tens of thousands of protesters back into the streets is not resolved, signaling the army's return to an increasingly polarized and violent political scene. The military said serious dialogue is the “best and only” way to overcome the nation's deepening conflict over a disputed draft constitution hurriedly adopted by Islamist allies of President Mohamed Morsi, and recent decrees granting himself near-absolute powers. “Anything other than that (dialogue) will force us into a dark tunnel with disastrous consequences; something which we won't allow,” the statement said. It was read by an unnamed military official on state television. Morsi had called for a dialogue Saturday to discuss how to resolve the disagreement as his vice president suggested that a Dec. 15 constitutional referendum could be delayed. But the main opposition leaders declined to attend, saying talks can only take place if Morsi rescinds his decrees and cancels the referendum. With the increasing polarization and the specter of internal fighting looming, the military began reasserting itself, with soldiers sealing off the presidential palace with tanks and barbed wire. Its warning Saturday marked the first time the military returned to the political fray. Failing to reach a consensus, “is in the interest of neither side. The nation as a whole will pay the price,” the military said, adding it “realizes its national responsibility in protecting the nation's higher interests” and state institutions. A sit-in by Morsi's opponents around the palace continued Saturday, with protesters setting up roadblocks with tanks behind them amid reports that the president's supporters planned rival protests. By midday Saturday, TV footage showed the military setting up a new wall of cement blocks around the palace. Muslim Brotherhood leaders, meanwhile, made their highest profile appearances since the dispute began. The group's top leader Mohammed Badie and his powerful deputy Khairat El-Shater held press conferences Saturday alleging there was a conspiracy to topple Morsi but presenting little proof. Badie said the opposition has accused his group of violence but is instead responsible for the attacks on Muslim Brotherhood offices. He also claimed that most of those killed in last week's violence at the palace and other governorates were members of the Brotherhood. “These are crimes, not opposition or disagreement in opinion,” he said. Meanwhile, with a dialogue largely boycotted by the main opposition players, members of a so-called Alliance of Islamists forces warned it will take all measures to protect “legitimacy” and the president, in comments signaling continued tension. “We will not allow the revolution to be stolen again,” el-Shater said. “Our main job is to support legitimacy and stop the plot to bring down the president.” – Agencies
