Egypt's military leadership demands end to violence, raids on Muslim Brotherhood ahead of rallies Egyptian Defense Minister General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (L) meets with ousted Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi earlier this year. Picture: Mohammed Abd El Moaty/AP Source: AP EGYPT'S military leadership said that the army will not allow further violence after the deaths of hundreds in days of political unrest. Defense Minister General Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi, who led the July 3 coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi, again said the army has no intention of seizing power in the Arab world's most populous country. The defense minister also called for the political inclusion of Islamist supporters of the country's ousted president Morsi. El-Sissi's comments came during his first appearance since a deadly crackdown Wednesday on two encampments of Morsi supporters left hundreds dead and sparked days of violence across the country. "We will not stand by silently watching the destruction of the country and the people or the torching the nation and terrorizing the citizens," he said in comments quoted on state television and posted on an official military Facebook page. The general said that the military didn't seek power but instead "have the honour to protect the people's will - which is much dearer (than) ruling Egypt." El-Sissi called for Islamists to be included in the country's politics moving forward. A military timetable calls for the nation's constitution to be amended and for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2014. "We have given many chances ... to end the crisis peacefully and call for the followers of the former regime to participate in rebuilding the democratic track and integrate in the political process and the future map instead of confrontations and destroying the Egyptian state," he said. El-Sissi made the comments as Egyptian authorities raided homes of Muslim Brotherhood members on Sunday in an apparent attempt to disrupt the group ahead of mass rallies by Morsi supporters. Under the banner of an anti-coup alliance, the Brotherhood said it will hold a demonstration in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court in southern Cairo later on Sunday. Authorities already stationed armoured vehicles and troops at the building, which could turn into another focal point of street violence. More than 800 people have been killed nationwide since Wednesday's dismantling of two encampments of Morsi supporters in Cairo - an act that sparked fierce clashes. Some 70 police officers were killed in clashes with protesters or retaliatory attacks during the same period, according to the Interior Ministry. In an attempt to cripple the Brotherhood's protest plans, authorities carried out sweeping raids early on Sunday morning, detaining at least 300 mid-level officials and field operatives in several cities, according to security officials and group statements. In Egypt's second-largest city Alexandria, the Brotherhood said on its official website that security forces stormed houses of 34 officials and former lawmakers, but only arrested seven. Among those targeted was Medhat el-Haddad, the brother of top Morsi's aide Essam el-Haddad.