AAA Jun. 26, 2013 4:14 PM ET Egypt's president admits mistakes By HAMZA HENDAWIBy HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press FILE - In this Sunday, June 23, 2013 file photo, protesters chant slogans against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi outside a court in Ismailia, 139 Kilometers (86 miles) from Cairo, Egypt. A year ago, Egypt's opposition and youth movements demanded the then-ruling military leave power. Now some are counting on its protection as they try to remove Islamist President Mohammed Morsi with a wave of protests. They're hoping the generals, who have signaled discontent with the president, will pressure him out without outright taking over. But Morsi's Islamist backers are already angrily denouncing what they call a potential coup against an elected leader. AP Photo/Mostafa Darwish, File FILE - In this Thursday Feb, 21, 2013 file photo, released by the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, left, meets with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi at the presidential headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. AP Photo/Mohammed Abd El Moaty, Egyptian Presidency, File FILE - In this Sunday, June 23, 2013 file photo, Egyptian activists encourage passersbys to sign a petition by Tamarod, Arabic for "rebel," a campaign calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, in Cairo, Egypt. General view showing a traffic jam surround a gasoline station as drivers wait in long queues in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Fuel shortages have caused long lines for months, but Egypt's Minister of Supplies Bassem Aouda just told a new conference that the latest fuel shortage will end in a matter of days. Authorities blame the shortage on a technical problem at a major petrol depot on the outskirts of Cairo. Egyptian drivers wait in long queues outside a gasoline station in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Fuel shortages have caused long lines for months, but Egypt's Supplu Minister Bassem Ouda just told a new conference that the latest fuel shortage will end in a matter of days. CAIRO (AP) - Egypt's embattled president on Wednesday acknowledged making mistakes during his first year in office. In a televised speech ahead of a planned mass weekend demonstration by his opponents demanding his resignation, President Mohammed Morsi pledged to introduce "radical and quick" reforms in state institutions. He insisted he has been "right" about some issues. Opponents want him to resign and call an early election, charging that he and his Muslim Brotherhood are monopolizing power and failing to solve Egypt's pressing problems. He was speaking at a conference hall filled by Cabinet ministers and senior officials of his Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party along with several hundred supporters. His speech was interrupted repeatedly by the supporters with applause or chants. The army chief was among those in attendance, and he politely clapped. Earlier Wednesday the military said it was bringing reinforcements closer to Egypt's main cities. The troop movement signaled the seriousness of the situation, as huge demonstrations by Morsi's opponents and supporters loom and violence is possible. On Sunday the military chief warned that the army would not stand by and watch Egypt deteriorate into chaos. The two sides have interpreted that statement as support for their opposing positions. The Brotherhood believes the military would intervene to preserve its government, while opponents are convinced that soldiers would protect them from attacks by Islamic militants. Angry is growing over Egypt's economic malaise, typified by a severe fuel shortage that has forced many in Cairo to wait in line for hours at gas stations. Electric power cuts are frequent, prices are rising and unemployment is increasing, further adding to tensions.