Egypt army, Brotherhood in last minute negotiations

Egypt's army gave Morsi supporters until Saturday to join 'national ranks' Cairo – Mohammed Al Dawi Last minute negotiation between Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the armed forces revealed that an agreement may be reached to prevent a showdown between supporters of deposed former president Mohammed Morsi and the opposition.
Sources working on reaching the agreement, told Arab Today,  that two sides will reach a consensus soon, putting the initiative that former Prime Minister Hesham Qandil announced on Thursday into effect.
Qandil’s initiative that will be the foundation of national reconciliation talks, is based on six steps including: the release of all political detainees arrested after June 30, suspension of a decision to freeze Brotherhood funds, and ending media campaigns attacking the opposing side.
The same sources said that the armed forces told the Muslim Brotherhood that calling for counter protests on Friday would result in more violence in the streets; the Islamists group agreed to cancelling several rallies but to keep the previously announced Million Man march to avoid clashes and confrontations between the opposing camps.
The sources also revealed that the army reassured the Brotherhood that  military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s call for demonstration in order for the people to give him mandate to fight terrorism did not include sit-ins by  Morsi  supporters, but was rather targeting terrorists groups operating in Sinai.
The Egyptian army on Thursday gave Morsi supporters until Saturday to join the "national ranks" or face an expected crackdown.
But sources told Arab Today that the ultimatum was simply to ensure unity before launching military operations in Sinai.
Meanwhile, the founder of the April 6 Movement, Ahmed Maher, denounced the Sisi’s calls for people public protests.
Maher said that the military doesn’t need a mandate to fight terrorism, as it its duty to so. He also denounced the Islamists calls to arrange counter protests.
Maher stressed that state institutions, including the military must be committed to the law, warning that the call for protests may lead the country into civil war.
The April 6 movement said it would boycott Friday demonstrations as did the Youth for Justice and Freedom movement.
Maher’s comments came as large crowds of Egyptians started to head towards Tahrir Square
Eyewitnesses told Arab Today that dozens of Egyptians are holding banners saying: "We give the army a mandate to deal with terrorism and to end it.”
Security forces have surrounded the entrances to the Square, while officials inspect people at several checkpoints around the area.
Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim visited the Square early morning to ensure a strong security force was intact.
The ministry's official Facebook page said that Ibrahim met with troops in the Square, stressing the need to "deal firmly" with any individuals trying to attack the peaceful demonstrations.