Army head warns of Egyptian state collapse

on 29/01/2013 11:18:31

Egypt's army chief has warned of "the collapse of the state" if the nation's political crisis continues.

The warning by Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is also the defence minister, comes as the country sinks deeper into chaos and lawlessness.

Attempts by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to stem a wave of political violence appear to have made no headway.

Some 60 people have been killed in the unrest which began last Thursday.

Mr el-Sissi's warning came in an address to military academy cadets today. His comments were posted on the armed forces' official Facebook page.

"The continuation of the conflict between the different political forces and their differences over how the country should be run could lead to the collapse of the state and threaten future generations," he said.