Egypt's military says it is ready to defend the country against what it called terrorists and fools, hours after President Mohamed Morsi defiantly rejected its Wednesday deadline for reaching a deal with the opposition.
Egypt Tense as Deadline Approaches
![Egyptian soldiers stand guard at the entrance of the presidential palace, in Cairo, July 2, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/aa71e97d-d0ae-4a9f-9f78-c58ef0a934ee_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Egyptian soldiers stand guard at the entrance of the presidential palace, in Cairo, July 2, 2013.
![Plainclothes police walk with protesters opposed to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi at the site of clashes with opposing protesters in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/1f5ff866-153b-4a4b-8cb9-62178ccb0851_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Plainclothes police walk with protesters opposed to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi at the site of clashes with opposing protesters in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2013.
![A military helicopter flies over an opponent if Egyptian Islamist President Mohammed Morsi as he waves a national flag, in Tahrir Square in Cairo, July 2, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/a3f9b5ed-610a-4916-a7f7-f4b70b3a72af_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A military helicopter flies over an opponent if Egyptian Islamist President Mohammed Morsi as he waves a national flag, in Tahrir Square in Cairo, July 2, 2013.
![Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hold sticks and wear protective gear during training outside of the Rabia el-Adawiya mosque near the presidential palace, in Cairo, July 2, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/13128923-0c38-4e3d-bad8-276b9b457c9a_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hold sticks and wear protective gear during training outside of the Rabia el-Adawiya mosque near the presidential palace, in Cairo, July 2, 2013.