Cairo: To the shock of Islamist supporters, the head of Egypt's armed forces issued a declaration late Wednesday night suspending the Constitution and appointing the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state.
In a televised broadcast, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, flanked by military leaders, religious authorities and political figures, effectively declared the removal of elected Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.
Gen. al-Sisi called for presidential and parliamentary elections, a panel to review the Constitution and a national reconciliation committee that would include youth movements. He said the road map had been agreed to by a range of political groups, according to Reuters
The New York Times earlier reported that the top generals summoned civilian political leaders to an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss a new interim government while moving tanks toward the presidential palace and restricting Morsi's travel.
Al Jazeera reported that the Egyptian army had overthrown President Mohamed Morsi, announcing a roadmap for the country's political future that will be implemented by a national reconciliation committee.
Sisi called for presidential and parliamentary elections, a panel to review the constitution and a national reconciliation committee that would include youth movements. He said the roadmap had been agreed by a range of political groups.
Islamist supporters of Morsi who have gathered in a Cairo suburb reacted angrily to the announcement by the army.
Some broke up paving stones, forming piles of rocks. Muslim Brotherhood security guards in hard hats and holding sticks formed a cordon around the encampment, close to a mosque. Men and women wept and chanted.
Denouncing military chief al-Sisi, some shouted: "Sisi is void! Islam is coming! We will not leave!"
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