Egypt: 'Crisis Meeting Held' As Deadline Looms

Military chiefs in Egypt have reportedly met for crisis talks, as an army deadline to resolve the country's political crisis draws near.

Senior commanders attended the meeting of the Armed Forces General Command, military sources claimed.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian liberal opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei is believed to have met army chief General Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

Tens of thousands of Egyptians have staged protests across the country

"ElBaradei will urge the armed forces to intervene to stop the bloodshed," a political source told the Reuters news agency.

The Egyptian army has threatened to intervene unless President Mohamed Morsi agrees to a resolution. It could dissolve parliament and take control of the country, sparking fears of a military coup.

The deadline expires at 5pm (3pm GMT), although the army said it had set no time for issuing statements or speeches.

Thousands joined a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo

Earlier, a state-run newspaper claimed Mr Morsi will either step down or be removed from office when a political road map for the future of the country is drawn up.

The Al-Ahram newspaper said the plan would establish a three-member presidential council to be chaired by the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

However an Egyptian military source denied the reports and said he expected political, social and economic figures to be called to talks.

Mr Morsi said he would protect democratic "legitimacy" with his life

Mr Morsi previously refused to step down and said he would protect democratic "legitimacy" with his life.

Addressing the nation in a 45-minute televised speech, he said he had been voted for in a free and fair election and it was his job to "safeguard the revolution" that put him in office.

Mr Morsi called for calm and said Egyptians should not attack the army, police or each other. He was, he said, attempting to get the army to return to its normal duties and withdraw its ultimatum.

A protester sits in front of anti-Morsi artwork on a Cairo building

Sky's Middle East Correspondent Sam Kiley, in the Egyptian capital Cairo, said: "What matters is what does the military do now it's nailed its colours so firmly to the deadline that comes on Wednesday evening, and what will be the reaction, not only of Mr Morsi, but of his supporters?

"The President has very substantial support from, broadly speaking, Islamists across the country and they are not likely to take a sudden change in a presidency that has a three-year mandate lying down.

"They've put out numerous statements on social media saying they will fight and lay down their lives for the cause."

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood ride on a truck through Cairo

The armed forces, which took control of the country after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, have intensified their presence in Egypt's cities ahead of the deadline.

Thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the revolution, while a giant crowd protested outside the Qasr el-Qobba presidential palace where Mr Morsi has been working in recent days.

Meanwhile, Muslim Brotherhood supporters who witnessed clashes near Cairo University told Sky News demonstrators were attacked with automatic gunfire.

They claimed many protesters were killed and said they expect similar attacks after the deadline passes.

The Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to most of Egypt and said any Britons in the country should consider "whether they have a pressing need to remain".

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