Erian to Sisi: Your Threat Will Not Stop Pro-Democracy Millions Massing to Reject Coup

In a post on his Facebook page, Dr. Essam El-Erian, Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) Vice-Chairman, said: "General Al-Sisi has expressed his point of view and told his story. Now, the people have the right to hear the other point of view.

"Is there not a rational man to advise him to release the legitimate president – who got the majority of votes in Egypt’s most credible free election – to say his word?!"

General Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi, the military coup commander, delivered a speech on Wednesday urging Egyptians to descend on all public squares to grant the military a mandate to fight what he called ‘terrorism’.

Dr. Erian said, "Millions of Egyptian people will indeed come out to say to the coup commanders ‘We are against the military coup – we support democratic legitimacy’.

"Your call to the people will not save you. If the coup had any supporters, they would’ve come out earlier. Your threat will not stop millions from continuing their mass protests and sit-ins. You – as the coup commander are responsible for the killing of the women, children and all those who were murdered as they went down in prayer."

Erian concluded, "When a commander loses a battle, he takes his decisions in an honorable way. But, unfortunately, you were never in any military battles. You were always in your office receiving reports and weaving heinous plots".