Egypt's security chief issues warning ahead of referendumJanuary 13, 2014 - 21:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Egypt's security chief on Monday warned supporters of the ousted Islamist president that troops guarding polls during the next day's constitutional referendum will deal with anyone attempting to disrupt the vote with unprecedented force, the Associated Press reports. Authorities consider the draft charter to be a milestone in a military-backed transition road map put in place after Mohammed Morsi was overthrown in a popularly backed military coup last July. "I am telling them, they will be faced with force, decisiveness and strength never seen before," Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim told state TV, adding: "everyone rest assured ... we are watching your back." State TV showed Ibrahim inspecting some of the 350,000 police and army personnel — including special forces and paratroopers backed by armored vehicles and helicopters — currently being deployed to streets across the country to secure the polls and encourage a high turnout. The Jan 14-15 vote provides the country's increasingly popular military chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, with a first electoral test since he ousted Morsi. A comfortable "yes" vote and a respectable turnout would be seen as bestowing legitimacy, while undermining the Islamists' argument that Morsi remains the nation's elected president. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, which fell from power and is now branded as a terrorist group, has called for a boycott of the vote as well. In its latest statement, a Brotherhood-led alliance said: "the blood of Egyptians is not a ladder to take over the seat of the kidnapped President." Regarding whether to vote "yes" or "no" on the document, it added: "The boycott is the only way." Morsi is on trial over several charges, including inciting killing of protesters, conspiring with foreign groups and orchestrating jailbreaks during 2011 uprising which forced his predecessor Hosni Mubarak from power. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |