CAIRO – After winning a tug-of-war with the opposition over Egypt's new constitution in December, Islamist President Mohamed Morsi faces a fresh crisis, one that is hard to pass without him making concessions. The gravity of the crisis was highlighted Tuesday by Defense Minister General Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, who warned if the current situation persists it could “lead to a collapse of the state.” “The continuing conflict between political forces and their differences concerning the management of the country could lead to a collapse of the state and threaten future generations,” Sissi said in a speech to students at a military academy. Sissi, also Egypt's military chief, urged all parties to bury their differences and find a solution to the country's “political, economical, social as well as security” problems. The military faced a tough task, he said, as it did “not want to confront Egyptian citizens who have a right to protest” but it also had “to protect vital institutions.” He also vowed to defend vital infrastructure, including the Suez Canal, as medics reported another three people killed in the violence sweeping Egypt, pushing to at least 52 the death toll from five days of clashes. The army is already deployed in the canal city of Port Said. – Agencies
