Political polarization in Egypt is threatening the country’s democracy, President Mohammed Morsi said on Wednesday ahead of planned mass protests on June 30 by opposition forces.
“Political polarization and conflict has reached a stage that threatens our nascent democratic experience and threatens to put the whole nation in a state of paralysis and chaos,” Morsi said in a televised address, according to Al Arabiya.
He admitted during the speech that he has “erred in some decisions” while being correct in others, the report said.
Speaking to a large crowd of Islamist supporters Morsi said he has an “obligation” to correct his mistakes, adding he is standing before his audience as a “citizen” while emphasizing Egypt was his responsibility.
Opposition forces are planning to take to the streets next Sunday in an attempt to urge Morsi to cede power, but supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood have planned mass counter-demonstrations.
The Egyptian army has warned against the country descending into chaos, and said it will intervene if necessary.
In Wednesday’s speech, Morsi accused former regime members of attempting to block Egypt from moving forward.
The president also accused “enemies of the revolution” of wanting to destroy the Egyptian democratic experience, claiming “we have evidence,” according to Al Arabiya.
He added that “it is time for surgery, to purify,” the country.
“I understand differences with the opposition, but I reject its involvement in acting against the revolution,” said Morsi, who accused leading opposition figures of bidding to topple the government.
He then accused former presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq, who was runner up in the last presidential elections, of embezzlement.
The Egyptian president announced an ongoing investigation against Shafiq after he allegedly bought a plane costing $148 million. Morsi said Shafiq should be tried, according to Al Arabiya.