Egypt's National Security Council says respects presidency's legitimacy

Egypt's National Security Council late on Monday voiced respect for the constitutional and legal legitimacy of the presidency ahead of the opposition's June-30 protests aiming to pressure the president to call for an early election.

At a meeting headed by President Mohamed Morsi and attended by Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the Council stressed that all state institutions must "respect and uphold the constitutional and legal legitimacy," in reference to Morsi's legitimacy to rule the country.

The Council also dismissed all forms of violence while reiterating the necessity to recognize peaceful expression of opinions as "the main rights guaranteed by the constitution."

It urged all participants in the political process to bear full responsibility in condemning violence and to give the state's apparatus the opportunity to perform its duties in protecting the citizens.

Later on Monday, presidency spokesperson Omar Amer denied at a televised press conference any imminent cabinet reshuffle to appease the opposition before June 30 demonstrations.

Protesting is a citizen' right to express his views, provided that the protests are peaceful, said Amer.

He asserted the role of the armed forces in protecting the country's national security, however expressing reservation over the army's intervention to prevent clashes from taking place.

Morsi will address the nation on Wednesday night, which Amer noted "as an important speech" as the people are in "a bad need for transparency and clear stance" regarding the recent developments.