CAIRO (AA) - The Egyptian army has denied mounting a crackdown on the leaders and figures of Islamist groups.
"Such reports are baseless. Since the beginning of the June 30 revolution, the army has not arrested or detained any person in Egypt on political or other grounds," the army spokesman said in a statement.
"Whoever has enquiries about arrests should check with the prosecution, which is the body concerned," he added.
Earlier Friday the military warned of any "provocative acts" against peaceful protesters.
"The right to peaceful demonstration is guaranteed to all and the army is trying to protect all sides," it said in a statement, dismissing as baseless reports that the military had asked people to refrain from protesting to facilitate its efforts to impose law and order in the streets.
Tens of thousands of ousted president Mohamed Morsi's supporters have taken to the streets in capital Cairo and other governorates to protest his overthrow, demanding his reinstatement.
