Egyptian army denies US claims

An Egyptian military commander has officially denied reports that military leaders refused to obey President Mohammed Morsi’s orders during recent violent clashes. Colonel Ahmed Mohammed Ali denied the rumours, centred on US newspaper World Terobion, which had claimed Morsi requested the army’s help in putting down protests in Cairo, Ismailia, Port Said and Suez. Newspapers and websites subsequently claimed the army refused to obey orders, and would not fire live ammunition on protesters. The military spokesman dismissed the news as “rumour and speculation…quite far from reality.” “We call on the media to maintain accuracy in the information it circulates so as to avoid misinformation and rumours,” Ali concluded.