Egypt's military has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Islamist president and his opponents to reach an agreement or it will intervene to put forward a political road map for the country and ensure it is carried out.

The statement Monday described as "glorious" the mass protests on Sunday that brought out millions of Egyptians calling for President Mohammed Morsi's ouster.

The military underlined it will "not be a party in politics or rule." But it said it has a responsibility to act because Egypt's national security is facing a "grave danger," according to the statement, read out on state television.