World Bulletin/News Desk

Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has called for quickly ending the transitional period according to the roadmap announced by the army following its ouster of elected President Mohamed Morsi.

In a statement posted on the army spokesperson's Facebook page, al-Sisi called on Egyptians to "realize the scale of problems facing the society, which requires a swift end of the transitional period according to the roadmap approved by national powers."

He suggested there should be "a national accord to restore stability and address challenges facing Egypt's national security."

The powerful army deposed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, on July 3 following mass protests against him.

It suspended the constitution and promised parliamentary and presidential elections in nine months.

Meanwhile, al-Sisi thanked the Sinai residents for "their sacrifices to return Sinai back to Egypt and cooperate on the fight against terrorism."

He offered apology to the Sinai residents on "damage caused to their buildings and lands" during military operations against armed groups in Sinai.

"They will be compensated for the losses," the army chief said.

The Egyptian army is currently carrying out what military experts are calling the largest military operation in the restive Sinai Peninsula with the stated aim of combating "militancy and terrorism".

Al-Sisi called on the army forces to be aware of attempts to mix religion with politics and paint political differences as a religious conflict or a war on Islam.

The army chief condemned calls and attempts that "aim to undermine the military and security institutions."

"The Armed Forces are keen not to have a single drop of bloodshed," he said.