Egypt’s military chief is calling for nationwide rallies on Friday to confront what he calls the “violence and terrorism” that followed the removal of former president Mohammed Morsi, whose Muslim Brotherhood has refused to accept the ouster.

The military acted after massive street protests all across Egypt by millions of people who believe that Morsi had betrayed Egypt’s fledgling Democracy by imposing strict Islamic rules, illegally grabbing power for the Muslim Brotherhood, and declaring himself to be above the authority of the courts.  Crowds swelled to even greater numbers with word that Morsi was ousted.  But since then, the Muslim Brotherhood has been emboldened to hold its own rallies and numerous clashes have taken place, often with deadly results.

In a speech before military cadets, Defense Minister Abdel Fattah el-Sissi asked that “all honest and trustworthy Egyptians must come out," in order to “give me the mandate and order that I confront violence and potential terrorism.”

Al-Sisi insists there is “no going back” on Egypt's political “road map” which has replaced the radical Islamists of Morsi’s regime and which he vows would end in free and fair elections.

The Muslim Brotherhood said it would not give in to “threats”, and accused Al-Sisi of trying to start a “civil war”.