The elite military force issued a statement alleging it had identifed websites run by companies it charged were backed by the US and British secret services.

It warned that it would take action against people stoking “tensions” using new media, such as the micro-blogging website Twitter, which has been a key tool in the dissemination of news at a time of upheaval and censorship…

“We warn those who propagate riots and spread rumours that our legal action against them will cost them dearly, especially since some of the youth of this land were killed by the thugs’ action, so we urge them to delete such material from their sites,” its statement said.