F-16 fighter jet.

The AFP is reporting that Egyptian F-16 fighters flew low over Cairo Sunday in a rare display of the Air Force’s might amid  political tensions in the country. Al-Arabiya notes, however, that the Air Force made the same pass with several jets at the end of October, and that it was part of a military exercise.

Presidential sources said it was only “routine training” conducted by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF).

Late Saturday Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi amended a November decree that had granted him almost limitless power. Morsi had said the decree was meant to advance the drafting of a constitution without obstruction, while his opponents claimed it was nothing more than a power grab. The move led to massive protests within the country.

Earlier Saturday the military released a statement urging dialogue between the opposing sides. “The armed forces affirm that dialogue is the best and only way to reach consensus,” the statement said. “The opposite of that will bring us to a dark tunnel that will result in catastrophe and that is something we will not allow.”

On Sunday opposition activists called for more protests and an opposition coalition was set to meet to decide on a formal response to Morsi’s new decree.