Egypt's churches have welcomed the call from Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for mass rallies in support of the army on Friday.
Sisi made the call during a speech at a military graduation ceremony on Wednesday morning, asking for protests to give a "mandate to confront possible violence and terrorism."
Archbishop Sergius Sergius, secretary of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, which the majority of Egypt's Christians belong to, said: "The Church welcomes Sisi’s call to end terrorism in the country."
"Sisi’s speech was very good, to confirm the sincere intention of the army to counter terrorism," Sergius told Turkish news agency Anadolu. "We pray for the peace of Egypt and success of the current government."
Head of the Evangelical community in Egypt, Andrea Zaky, said the military needs "popular support" during this vital stage of the country's history.
Zaky said Egypt's Evangelical Christians condoned peaceful protest.
"People giving [Sisi] power to counter terrorism, [would lead to] the security of Egyptians," he stressed.
Bishop Yohana, deputy Patriarch of the Catholics in Egypt, meanwhile said the Sisi speech represented "a call from a national faithful leader who loves Egypt, and does not want to do anything without people giving him the power.”
