Egypt's Army Chief and Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on Egyptians to protest on Friday to mandate the army to confront violence and terrorism, in a televised speech on Wednesday.

He stressed that the army will do what it deems as necessary for such a confrontation, adding, "That does not mean that I am advocating for violence."

Sisi added that there will be no retreat on the roadmap, which was put forth by the army following its ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on July 3, for political transition.