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Egypt leader Morsi orders army chief Tantawi to resign Egypt leader Mursi orders army chief Tantawi to resign
(40 minutes later)
Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has ordered the retirement of the powerful head of the country's armed forces, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, a presidential spokesman has said. Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has ordered the retirement of the powerful head of the country's armed forces, Field Marshal Mohamad Hussein Tantawi, a presidential spokesman has said.
No explanation has so far been given. He also said a constitutional declaration aimed at curbing presidential powers had been cancelled.
President Mursi, who was elected in June, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Mr Mursi, 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. Relations between the Brotherhood and the military have been tense since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak.
It is not clear whether the president has the power to sack the head of the armed forces, or whether Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi will accept the move. It is not clear whether the president has the power to sack the head of the armed forces, or whether Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi will accept the moves.
Before Mr Mursi was sworn in, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) stripped the presidency of many of its powers. The BBC's Yolande Knell in Cairo says the president's intervention is clearly an attempt to take decisive action in his tug of war for control with the armed forces.
These include matters related to the military, including appointing its leaders and extending their terms in office, Egypt's interim constitutional declaration stated. Constitutional question
The military council also dissolved the Egyptian Parliament, which is dominated by the president's Islamist allies. Under an interim constitutional declaration issued before Mr Mursi was sworn in, the president cannot rule on matters related to the military - including appointing its leaders.
As head of the Scaf, Field Marshal Tantawi became Egypt's interim ruler after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February last year. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), which issued the declaration, also dissolved the Egyptian Parliament, which is dominated by the president's Islamist allies.
As head of the Scaf, Field Marshal Tantawi became Egypt's interim ruler after President Mubarak was ousted following mass protests in February last year.
Sunday's presidential announcement also said armed forces chief of staff Sami Annan was retiring.