“We confirm our strong belief in the right of all political groups to express their opinions freely, and to form their own political parties,” the National Salvation Front said in a statement. “We totally reject excluding any party, particularly political Islamic groups,” it added.

“What Egypt is witnessing now is not a military coup by any standards. It was a necessary decision that the Armed Forces’ leadership took to protect democracy, maintain the country’s unity and integrity, restore stability,” it added.