Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Egypt’s armed forces chief, told Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in a phone call yesterday that the situation in Egypt was “stable,” the Saudi Press Agency said, as protesters demonstrated across the country.
King Abdullah told Gen. Al-Sisi the events in Egypt called for “wisdom and caution,” the news agency said.
Gen. Al-Sisi informed the king of the latest developments and “reassured him of the stability of the situation,” SPA said.
Health Ministry sources said that at least 24 protesters were killed in clashes yesterday, but the military later denied firing on protesters.
King Abdullah was one of the first regional leaders to congratulate the head of the Egyptian Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, on his recent appointment as interim head of state.
Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, sent a congratulatory message to President Mansour yesterday.
Thousands of supporters of Mursi have been rallying in Cairo and other cities to demand his reinstatement.
The top leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood said Egyptians will not accept “military rule” for another day.
General Guide Mohammed Badie, a key figure among the Brotherhood’s followers, spoke before a crowd of tens of thousands of Mursi supporters in Cairo.
Badie called on Egyptians to protest, saying “we will not be deterred by threats or detentions ... or the gallows.”
Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, demanded the release of political prisoners.
He also called for the release of “prisoners of conscience” and political activists, the MENA news agency said.
Instability in Egypt has been pushing oil prices higher. Egypt’s control of the Suez Canal gives it a crucial role in maintaining energy supplies, particularly to Europe.
