In his first comments since authorities launched a bloody crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned security forces would confront any further violence from protesters.

"We will never be silent in the face of the destruction of the country," said Sisi, who overthrew Morsi on July 3 after protests against the president's rule.

"We are very prepared for this," he said, pledging a "forceful" response to further attacks on police stations and government buildings.

The violence sparked by the crackdown has drawn international condemnation and EU leaders have warned the bloc will "urgently review" ties with Cairo in the coming days.

European ambassadors were recalled from their summer break for an emergency meeting on the crisis expected to start in Brussels at 0800 GMT.(AFP)