A deeply polarised Egypt is braced for bloodshed ahead of rival mass rallies called by the army and Islamists who back the ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Army chief General Abdel Fattah al Sisi summoned Egyptians to the streets today in an intended turning point in its confrontation with followers of Mr Morsi, the elected leader the military removed on July 3.
Mr Sisi said he wanted Egyptians to give the military a "mandate" to take the necessary measures against "violence and terrorism".
The general's call was widely interpreted as signalling a crackdown on Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, who have been camped out at street vigils calling for his reinstatement.
Mr Sisi delivered his call in full military uniform and dark sunglasses An army official said the military has given the Muslim Brotherhood a Saturday deadline to end its resistance and join a military-set roadmap to fresh elections.
But the Brotherhood says it wants nothing to do with the army's transition plan and has called its own crowds out for counter-demonstrations in a "day to remove the coup".
Mr Morsi has been in military detention at an undisclosed location since he was overthrown.
UN leader Ban Ki-moon has called on the military to free Mr Morsi and other Islamic Brotherhood leaders, said deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey.
Mr Ban also says he "urges all sides to act with maximum restraint" during today's demonstrations.
Both the army and the Muslim Brotherhood dramatically escalated rhetoric in the lead-up to the rallies, following a month of clashes in which about 200 people, mainly supporters of Mr Morsi, have died.
A Morsi supporter (C) is chased by those backing the army earlier this week The army has threatened to "turn its guns" on those who use violence.
In a Facebook post, the army said it will not "turn its guns against its people, but it will turn them against black violence and terrorism which has no religion or nation".
An army official told Reuters: "We will not initiate any move, but will definitely react harshly against any calls for violence or black terrorism from Brotherhood leaders or their supporters."
The main anti-Morsi youth protest group, which has backed the army, said it would go to the streets to "cleanse Egypt".
The Muslim Brotherhood accused the army of pushing the nation towards civil war and committing a crime worse than destroying Islam's holiest site.
Thousands have been holding vigils calling for Mr Morsi's reinstatement The Brotherhood also claims the authorities have been stirring up the violence to justify their crackdown.
The rallies are expected to peak after the evening prayer marking the end of the day's Ramadan fast.
Police said they were planning large-scale reinforcements and the Interior Ministry said it would undertake "unprecedented measures to protect citizens and their property".
The head of the army, Mr Sisi, was appointed by Mr Morsi in a bid by the president to rein in Egypt's all-powerful military.
But Mr Sisi turned against him after a year in which the Egyptian economy floundered and support for Mr Morsi slumped.
Anti-Morsi protesters with a poster of Mr Sisi Posters of the general have since appeared in shops and stalls across Cairo.
The US - which has close ties with Egypt's military - said it was "very concerned" by Mr Sisi's call for mass rallies.
After Mr Sisi's comments, the US announced it would suspend a delivery of F-16 warplanes.
The country remains deeply split over Mr Morsi's ousting.
The Brotherhood accuses the army of ejecting a democratically elected leader in a long-planned coup, while its opponents say the army responded to the will of the people.
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