Egyptian presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei issued a statement early Sunday urging the government and ruling military council to prevent violence against peaceful protests.
"Confusion and division are on the rise, and security is declining,” ElBaradei said in the statement, a copy of which was obtained by Al-Masry Al-Youm.
He said Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces frequently blames plots seeking to play off protesters against the army, but adopts a threatening tone against protesters at the same time.
ElBaradei's statement came in response to Friday’s clashes between army forces and protesters from Cairo's Tahrir Square.
The encounters at the district of Abbasseya, which erupted after Tahrir demonstrators began marching to the Ministry of Defense, left nearly 142 injured.
The protesters were demanding the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to announce a timetable for handing over power to an elected government.
ElBaradei called upon Egyptians from all walks of life to unite in order to get through the country's current critical stage.
“Egyptians gave an example through their peaceful revolution in 25 January, and I’m confident they’ll protect the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs and injured,” he said.
Observers believe the ruling military council has failed to effectively respond to the revolution’s demands following the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak in February.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
