The current challenges facing Egypt jeopardize its national security and a continuation of the status quo would have grave consequences, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Defense Minister General Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi said Tuesday 29/1/2013.

During a graduation ceremony of a new batch of the Military Academy, Sisi said that provocation of the state institutions' stability poses grave danger to the country's national security and its future.

He said the army will remain a solid and integrated bloc and one of strong planks upon which the state can depend.

He noted that the army took to streets of the tension-hit cities of Suez and Port Said to protect people as well as vital and strategic targets, topped by Suez Canal. He said "We will not allow harming the vital waterway of Suez."

He said the army also seeks assisting the Interior Ministry personnel to carry out their patriotic role.

He said the armed forces are trapped between protecting civilians and their right of peaceful demonstrations and fending off riots and acts of violence as well as protecting vital facilities.