CAIRO — Egypt's army chief has called on Egyptians to hold mass demonstrations to voice their support for the military to put an end to "violence" and "terrorism."

Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who ousted elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on July 3, said Wednesday he wants Egyptians to take to the streets on Friday in support of a campaign by the army and police against "violence" and "terrorism."

It was a thinly veiled reference to stepped up attacks blamed on suspected Islamic militants against security forces in the Sinai Peninsula and the deadly clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsi that have killed dozens.