Egypt leader Morsi orders army chief Tantawi to resign

[maddezmom]

Source: BBC

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has ordered the retirement of the powerful head of the country's armed forces, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, a presidential spokesman has said.

No explanation has so far been given.

President Morsi, who was elected in June, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Relations between the Brotherhood and the military have been tense since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak last year.

Before Mr Morsi was sworn in, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) dissolved the Egyptian Parliament, which is dominated by the president's Islamist allies.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19234763

[bemildred]

1. Good. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. Exerting civilian control over the military is generally a good thing.

[Johnyawl]

3. We'll see how well that goes over.

I hope President Morsi has allies within the armed forces, I can't imagine the Egyptian Army giving up control that easily.

[reorg]

4. Morsi retires top army leaders; amends 2011 Constitutional Declaration; appoints vice president

Update from Ahram Online:

Firstly, Morsi cancelled the 17 June constitutional addendum, which was issued by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), and amended the SCAF-issued 30 March 2011 Constitutional Declaration.

...

Secondly, Morsi issued a decision to retire Hussein Tantawi, the minister of defence and the general commander of the Armed Forces. Morsi also retired Sami Anan, the Army’s Chief of Staff, from his duties.

...

Thirdly, the president appointed the head of the military intelligence, Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, as Minister of Defence to replace Tantawi.

...

Fourth, Morsi appointed Mahmoud Mekki, the deputy head of the Cassation Court, as his Vice President.

Immediately following the announcement of their appointments, Mahmoud Mekki, Egypt’s new vice president, and Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the new minister of defence, were both sworn into office before President Morsi shortly after 5pm on Sunday afternoon.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/50239/Egypt/Politics-/UPDATE--Morsi-retires-top-army-leaders;-amends--Co.aspx