"Egypt Civil War" - Egypt’s army says ready to die in ‘final hours’ as death toll mounts

"Egypt Civil War" - Egypt’s army says ready to die in ‘final hours’ as death toll mounts.(AA).

In a statement that was headlined “The Final hours,” Egypt’s high command said on Wednesday that the army was ready to sacrifice blood to defend the Egyptian people against “terrorists or fools” as the death toll mounted in protester clashes.

The post on the official Facebook page of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), headed by armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, said: "We swear to God that we will sacrifice even our blood for Egypt and its people, to defend them against any terrorist, radical or fool."

The statement was issued three hours after Mursi gave a televised address to reject an ultimatum from Sisi that he share power with his opponents or face a military solution by 5 p.m. (1500 GMT).

A military source said the statement made clear that the armed forces would not abandon their demands, according to Reuters.

Mursi insisted on his ‘constitutional legitimacy” during the address and called on the army to withdraw its ultimatum to intervene if the political parties do not resolve differences.
The president also said he stood ready to “give my life” to defend constitutional legitimacy, echoing comments by a senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood who urged supporters to be ready to sacrifice their lives to prevent a coup.
In the speech, which continued after more than 40 minutes, he admitted his first year in office had been difficult and he faced challenges from ‘corrupt remnants” of the old regime.
In a response to a military ultimatum to share power with his opponents, he said he had tried such dialogue before and had been unsuccessful. But he insisted he would continue fulfilling the duties to which he had been democratically elected.
‘The people chose me in free and fair elections,” Mursi said, adding that he would “continue to shoulder his responsibilities” as Egypt struggles with the legacy of decades of authoritarian rule.

The president said that respect for the constitutional order was the “only guarantee against further bloodshed,” in a veiled attack against an ultimatum issued by the army for him to strike a deal with his opponents or have one imposed.

Time line with live updates here.

July 3, 2013.

• 1:30 am Death toll in Cairo University clash rises to 16


• 1:10am Egypt's high command says the army is ready to die to defend Egypt's people against terrorists and fools


• 12.23 am Organizers of the protest movement Tamarod called on Mursi’s military guard to arrest him

• 11: 40 pm At least 3 killed 90 wounded at Pro-Mursi rally violence

• 11:30 pm Opposition spokesman describes Mursi’s speech as a declaration of civil war
   
• 10:00 pm Mursi vows to defend his ‘legitimacy,’

• 9:35 pm: Mursi addresses the Egyptian people

• 9:30 pm Mursi to address Egyptian people today: state TV

• 9:10 pm National Salvation Front: Mursi defiance puts nation on course to violence

• 8:50 pm Mursi insists on his 'constitutional legitimacy'

• 8:50 pm Mursi demands army withdraw ultimatum, says will not be dictated to

• 8:30 pm Hamdeen Sabahi: Opposition committed to Mursi’s ouster

• 8:30 pm Hamdeen Sabahi: ElBaradei to represent opposition in talks with Army