Some opposition parties are calling on protesters to support the army A number of Egypt’s political parties have called on supporters to demonstrate in Cairo on Friday, in a show of support for the nation’s army. The news comes amid calls by opposition parties that Egypt’s military should rule the country, in a bid to contain the growing political unrest. Military rule in Egypt is not uncommon - the armed forces were seen as a powerful force during Mubarak’s reign in government as well as his predecessors.
According to reports, various political movements and opposition parties such as the Union of the Egyptian Revolution and the Federation of Maspero Youth have called on their followers to pledge their support for a military government, marked by demonstrations on Friday.
Prominent political figures such as leftist leader Shahinda Moklad and MP Abu al-Ezz al-Hariri, are among those who are pushing for a military junta.
The Freedom and Justice Party have also stressed their full support for the armed forces, warning against what they called were "attempts by some to shake the Egyptian people's confidence in the country’s army."
However, a number of Egyptian politicians have rejected the call to involve the armed forces in Egyptian politics.
Mostafa El-Gendy, a former MP, told Arabstoday: “We fought for the end to military rule, which lasted for more than 60 years. We have now installed a civilian president, we can’t go back and get the army on board again.  It is completely impossible.”
He added that he welcomed initiatives designed to strengthen the army in order to improve its role in protecting national security, as long as they did not return to political life.
Meanwhile, the al-Asala Salfist Party have also denounced calls for military support, calling it a “blatant attempt to bring back dictatorship.”