Egypt's military leader says the army will not allow further violence after days of unrest claimed hundreds of lives.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi carry supplies during violent fighting near Ramses Square
Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi carry supplies during violent fighting near Ramses Square (Ed Giles/Getty Images).
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Gen. Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi says the army "will not stand by silently watching the destruction of the country and the people."

The comments came during his first appearance since Wednesday's deadly crackdown on two protest encampments touched off violence across the country.

El-Sissi, who led the July 3 coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi, says the military didn't seek power but is protecting "the people's will."

He also said Islamists must be included in the country's politics.

A military timetable calls for the nation's constitution to be amended and for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2014.

El-Sissi appeared today at a gathering of top military commanders and police chiefs.

Homes of Muslim Brotherhood members raided

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian authorities have raided homes of Muslim Brotherhood members today in an apparent attempt to disrupt the group ahead of planned mass rallies by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

Security officials say they've detained mid-level Brotherhood officials and field operatives in several cities.

Security is also being stepped up. Armored vehicles and troops were deployed early Sunday to the Supreme Constitutional Court building in southern Cairo, where one of the rallies is planned.

More than 800 people have been killed nationwide since Wednesday's dismantling of two encampments of Morsi supporters in Cairo — an act that sparked fierce clashes.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian government has begun deliberations on whether to ban the Brotherhood, a long-outlawed organization that swept to power in the country's first democratic elections a year ago.

GOP lawmakers split on cutting off aid to Egypt

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Ammar Badie (38), son of the Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide, Mohammed Badie during a funeral at the Hammad Mosque in the New Cairo district
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Ammar Badie (38), son of the Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide, Mohammed Badie during a funeral at the Hammad Mosque in the New Cairo district (Ed Giles/Getty Images).
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers are split over whether the U.S. should cut off aid to Egypt amid spiraling violence.

Sen. John McCain renewed his call Sunday to curtail aid as the Egyptian military continues to crack down on protestors seeking the return of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. The Arizona Republican said continuing aid is not in line with U.S. values.

Republican Rep. Peter King of New York, however, said cutting off aid could reduce U.S. influence over Egypt's interim government, where the military controls access to strategic resources, including the Suez Canal.

The split illustrates the difficult choices facing the Obama administration in Egypt, where crackdowns last week that left more than 600 people dead.

McCain spoke on CNN and King made his comments on "Fox News Sunday."

EU to 'urgently review' its relations with Egypt

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union says it will "urgently review" its relations with Egypt where more than 800 people have died in clashes between security forces and supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi.

The Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, said Sunday in a rare joint foreign policy statement that it's the responsibility of the army and the interim government to end the violence.

They say calls for democracy and fundamental rights "cannot be disregarded, much less washed away in blood," adding "the violence and the killings of these last days cannot be justified nor condoned."

EU foreign ministers are expected to hold an emergency meeting on Egypt this week. The bloc is a major source of aid and business for Egypt.


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