"The continuation of instability and its consequences will lead to harming national security"

Egypt's ruling military junta said in a statement on Friday that it will not tolerate protests that “disrupt” the country's economy and will confront them, the official MENA news agency reported.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces warned in a statement that some groups "organize protests that obstruct production and create critical economic conditions that can lead to a worsening of the country's economy." "The continuation of instability and its consequences will lead to harming national security," it added.

Millions took to the streets to celebrate a new Egypt on Friday, reminding military rulers to keep their promise of a swift transition to democracy after protests swept away autocrat Hosni Mubarak in just 18 days.

On an emotional day that was also a memorial to the 365 people who died in the uprising, many said they would guard promises from the military of elections within six months.

The successful revolution in Egypt sent tremors through the region. Protests erupted in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Iraq, taking their cue from Egypt and Tunisia who toppled their leaders.

On the diplomatic front, the military rulers, in their first awkward diplomatic exposure, approved the passage of two Iranian naval vessels through the Suez Canal. Israel's right-wing foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, had said Iran's plan to send the ships through the canal was "provocative".