Egypt’s Foreign Minister Joins List of Resigned Ministers, Morsi Rejects Armed Forces Ultimatum

CAIRO- Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr has tendered his resignation after millions of Egyptians rallied against President Mohamed Morsi, the Egyptian Middle East News Agency MENA reported early on Tuesday.

Earlier, ten Egyptian ministers and three governors resigned in protest at President Mohamed Morsi’s failure to respond to nationwide protests against his rule.

Morsi rejects army ultimatum

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has rejected the ultimatum of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which on Monday gave all politicians in the country 48-hours to “meet the demands of the Egyptian people”, claiming he will continue with his own plan for national reconciliation.

On Monday the Egyptian army delivered an ultimatum to President Mohamed Morsi asking him to meet the people’s demands and resolve huge protests against his rule or face an intervention within 48 hours.

The statement added that if the situation were not resolved within 48 hours the armed forces would have “to announce a road map for the future and the steps for overseeing its implementation, with participation of all patriotic and sincere parties and movements”.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s army banned Morsi from leaving the country. This was reported by representatives of the opposition movement “Tamarrod”(Rebellion).

 According to them, the ban on travel abroad applies, besides the president, to representatives of his office, as well as those from the association “Muslim Brotherhood.”

Egypt’s army warns of provocations

The Egyptian Army Command has warned its citizens of possible provocations in the coming days aimed at discrediting the army, urging the population to be vigilant. This is contained in a statement published on the Egypt army’s official Facebook page.

“All the military are stationed in specified positions which they can leave only on orders of the military command.

“People in uniform in areas where people are rallying should arouse suspicion. We urge citizens to question the identity of uniformed people prior to interacting with them,” – RIA Novosti quotes the statement.

Obama calls Morsi to express concern over Egypt crisis

US President Barack Obama calls Egypt’s Morsi to express “concerns” over an escalating political crisis, urging him to show positive response to demonstrators’ demands , the White House said, according to the Voice of Russia.

Obama placed the call from Tanzania, on the final stop of his African tour and told him Washington was committed to “the democratic process in Egypt and does not support any single party or group,” the official said.

U.N.: Egypt must engage in “serious national dialogue”

Moreover, the U.N. human rights office called on the government of President Mohamed Morsi on Tuesday to listen to the demands of the Egyptian people and engage in a “serious national dialogue” to defuse the crisis, according to Reuters.

H. Mustafa