Egypt’s army urges dialogue to avoid ‘dark tunnel’

Cairo – Egypt’s military has said it “supports dialogue” to resolve the political crisis dividing the nation, in its first statement since street protests against President Mohamed Morsi erupted more than two weeks ago.

“The path of dialogue is the best and only way to reach agreement and achieve the interests of the nation and its citizens,” said the statement on Saturday, from the spokesperson of the armed forces.

The army statement was read on Egyptian TV by a spokesman.

“The armed forces… realise their responsibility to preserve the higher interests of the country and to secure and protect vital targets, public institutions and the interests of innocent citizens,” it said.

“The armed forces affirm that dialogue is the best and only way to reach consensus,” it added.

“The opposite of that will bring us to a dark tunnel that will result in catastrophe and that is something we will not allow.”

It came as protests continued outside the presidential palace in Cairo.

Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi has called for what he describes as a