The power struggle in Egypt comes to a head:President Morsi said in the night, he will not resign, even if it costs him his life. The army leadership vowed to fight to the utmost. During the night at least 22 people died, only 16 at the University of Cairo.

The Al-Ahram newspaper said the road map would establish a three-member presidential council to be chaired by the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

It comes on the day a deadline set by the army to resolve the country’s political crisis is set to expire.

An Egyptian military source denied the reports and said he expected political, social and economic figures to be called to talks.

Earlier, Mr Morsi refused to step down and said he would protect democratic “legitimacy” with his life.

Addressing the nation in a 45-minute televised speech, he said he had been voted for in a free and fair election and it was his job to “safeguard the revolution” that put him in office.

Mr Morsi called for calm and said Egyptians should not attack the army, police or each other. He was, he said, attempting to get the army to return to its normal duties and withdraw its ultimatum.

If the President refuses to accept the demands by Wednesday evening then the army has said it will intervene, dissolving parliament and taking control of the country.

The move has sparked fears of a military coup.

Journalist Sam Kiley, in the Egyptian capital Cairo, said: “What matters is what does the military do now it’s nailed its colours so firmly to the deadline that comes on Wednesday evening, and what will be the reaction, not only of Mr Morsi, but of his supporters?

“The President has very substantial support from, broadly speaking, Islamists across the country and they are not likely to take a sudden change in a presidency that has a three-year mandate lying down.

“They’ve put out numerous statements on social media saying they will fight and lay down their lives for the cause.”

The armed forces, which took control of the country after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, have intensified their presence in Egypt’s cities ahead of the deadline.

Thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the revolution, while a giant crowd protested outside the Qasr el-Qobba presidential palace where Mr Morsi has been working in recent days.

The Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to most of Egypt and said any Britons in the country should consider “whether they have a pressing need to remain”.

[adrotate banner=”64″]