Egyptian Military Chief Calls for Pro-Military Demonstrations

CAIRO, July 25 (UPI) — Egypt's armed forces chief called on Egyptians to demonstrate en masse to give him a "mandate" to quash violence by backers of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi supporters responded, saying Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's nationally broadcast appeal amounted to a lead-up to civil war.

The Obama administration followed Sisi's call by saying it would at least temporarily halt a planned delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Egypt's military.