Clock ticks for Egypt's Morsi as army ultimatum deadline looms

Clock ticks for Egypt's Morsi as army ultimatum deadline looms
By Charlene Gubash and Ian Johnston, NBC News
CAIRO - The clock is ticking for Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi to
meet the demands of millions of protesters seeking his ouster and
fresh elections after an ultimatum issued to the Islamist leader by
his own armed forces.
If Morsi does not meet the demands by Wednesday, the military has said
it will impose its own "road map" for the future.
Morsi rejected the army's call in a statement issued at 2 a.m. local
time Tuesday (8 p.m. Monday ET) by saying his administration would
continue on its "previously plotted path" toward reconciliation.
Violence during the protests at the weekend saw 16 people killed and
hundreds injured.
Barack Obama and the United Nations have each urged Morsi to listen to
his people, as a vast crowd gathered once again in Cairo's Tahrir
Square Tuesday.
Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the United Nations' High Commissioner
for Human Rights, told a briefing Tuesday that they were following the
"extremely tense situation" in Egypt with "great concern."
"We urge all political parties and social groups to urgently engage in
a serious national dialogue in order to find a solution to the
political crisis and prevent an escalation of violence," Colville
said.
"We call on the president of Egypt to listen to the demands and wishes
of the Egyptian people, expressed during these huge protests over the
past few days, and to address key issues raised by the opposition and
civil society in recent months, as well as to heed the lessons of the
past in this particularly fragile situation," he added.
He welcomed assurances given by the military and law enforcement
agencies that "no measures will be taken that could lead to excessive
use of force against peaceful demonstrators."
The White House said in a statement Tuesday that Obama had called
Morsi on Monday, urging him to listen to "the voices of all
Egyptians."
Obama told Morsi that the United States was "committed to the
democratic process in Egypt and does not support any single party or
group."
But the president also "stressed that democracy is about more than elections."
"It is also about ensuring that the voices of all Egyptians are heard
and represented by their government, including the many Egyptians
demonstrating throughout the country," the statement said.
Obama encouraged Morsi "to take steps to show that he is responsive to
their concerns, and underscored that the current crisis can only be
resolved through a political process," it added.
"President Obama also underscored his deep concern about violence
during the demonstrations, especially sexual assaults against female
citizens," the White House said. "He reiterated his belief that all
Egyptians protesting should express themselves peacefully, and urged
President Morsi to make clear to his supporters that all forms of
violence are unacceptable."
Amid the heightened tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo was closed on
Tuesday with regular consular service suspended. It was also closed on
Sunday. U.S. citizens were advised to "avoid areas where large
gatherings may occur."
On June 28, the State Department allowed a "limited number of
non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members" to leave
the country "due to the ongoing political and social unrest."
Canada said on Twitter that its embassy in Cairo would be "closed
until further notice for security reasons."
According to an airport security source, a list has been circulated
containing the names of 48 leading members of political parties,
including the Muslim Brotherhood, who must now inform national
security officials before leaving the country. The use of private jets
has also been temporarily banned.
It remains unclear whether the Egyptian army was actually calling for
Morsi to stand down, or whether it would accept some attempted
compromise.
However, a statement issued by Morsi's office complained said that it
was not consulted about the army's ultimatum and said "the presidency
sees that some of the statements in it carry meanings that could cause
confusion in the complex national environment."
It added that his administration was "going forward on its previously
plotted path to promote comprehensive national reconciliation ...
regardless of any statements that deepen divisions between citizens."
Morsi's office, discussing the call with Obama, said the U.S. was
"working with the Egyptian leadership elected by the Egyptian people
and supports peaceful democratic conditions in Egypt."
"The president confirmed that Egypt is moving forward in a peaceful
democratic transition built on constitution and law," Morsi's office
said.
It also said that Egypt's "democratic, civil, modern state" was "the
most important achievement" of the revolution that deposed former
President Hosni Mubarak.
"We will not allow Egypt with all its forces to return backward under
any circumstances," Morsi's office said. "Egypt has paid dearly from
the blood of its sons and its stability and security and its delayed
the path to development, these are the high prices it paid to build a
new state. We all chose democratic means as the only safest way to
manage our differences of opinion."

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