Egypt's military rulers warn of plots of spreading chaos

Egypt's ruling military council said Friday that it will not give in to any threats and pressure, ahead of a planned nationwide strike called for by activists. "Egypt is facing plots that aim to thwart our revolution through driving a wedge between the people and the armed forces," the official MENA news agency reported, citing a statement issued by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). The SCAF warned of the attempts to spread chaos and vowed to fight against them. The statement said the military council "will not bow to any threats, will not bow to pressure or accept dictations," and reiterated its promise to hand over power to an elected civilian authority. Dozens of Egyptian youth movements and universities have called for civil disobedience on Saturday, to mark the first anniversary of the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak. However, several political parties, including Muslim Brotherhood's political wing Freedom and Justice party and Salafists' al-Nour party, have rejected the calls. Egypt will begin presidential nominations on March 10. The military council has said it will transfer power on June 30.