Morsi's power grab is one he does not intend to relinquish. With almost 14 million Egyptians in the streets of several cities, he has held steadfast, doggedly ignoring the protests and blindly rebuking the army's request to share power.
The Army instead has seen the light, quite clearly. Millions of people in the streets is a force with little equal: this is a movement that will not be silenced and the generals know it. They have intimated to Morsi that if he does not abide by their request to share power and do so swiftly, that they will draw up 'their own map of the future' of Egypt.
That is an ominous turn. If Morsi does not loosen his grip on his aspirations of totalitarian power for himself and the Muslim Brotherhood, which he erroneously claims represent a majority of the people, and even more erroneously are allowed by an ill perceived mandate to take over and hold power as they see fit, for as long as they see fit, there will be a country wide revolution. It promises to be stronger, bloodier and wider than even the last revolution, which seemed to be concentrated in Cairo and effected by the Cairenes alone.
General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of the Egyptian army has expressed his belief that the protests currently under way are 'an unprecedented expression of popular anger against Morsi."
However, the opposition party does not wish for the Army to effect a coup and take power. They did welcome the Army's ultimatum, but are cautious in signaling a support for an Army takeover, even if temporary.
Interestingly, many politicians have offered their resignation following Morsi's stubborn refusal to concede some power and reverse the constitutional changes he has made. Even some of his own men like Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr.
As far as the ultimatum from the people stands, it does just that. Just this morning, the 5:00 pm deadline was repeated by the opposition, with a specific request for Morsi to step down.
Source: France 24/ 7.2.13
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