New York, Jan 30 (ANI): A top Egyptian general has warned that that the country is in danger of collapse if the feuding civilian leaders could not agree on a solution to restore order, according to a report.

Thousands of residents poured into the streets of the three cities, protesting against President Mohamed Morsi's attempt to quell the anarchy.

Morsi appeared powerless to stop them, he had already granted the police extralegal powers to enforce the curfew and then called out the army as well.

With the protests rising and no solution in sight, Gen. Abdul Fattah el-Sisi, the defense minister, warned Egypt's new Islamist leaders and their opponents that "their disagreement on running the affairs of the country may lead to the collapse of the state and threatens the future of the coming generations," the New York Times reports.

He stressed that 'political, economic, social and security challenges require united action by all parties to avoid dire consequences that affect the steadiness and stability of the homeland.'

According to the paper, General Sisi added that the acute polarization of the civilian politics has now becoming a concern of the military because "to affect the stability of the state institutions is a dangerous matter that harms Egyptian national security."

The paper pointed out that the Egyptian military has prided itself on its dual military and political role since Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser's coup more than six decades ago.

General Sisi insisted that it would remain 'the solid mass and the backbone upon which rest the Egyptian state's pillars,' the report said.

The General said that with the army now caught between Morsi's instructions to restore order and the citizens' refusal to comply, 'are facing a serious dilemma' as they seek to end the violence without "confronting citizens and their right to protest.' (ANI)