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Egypt President Mursi explains army chief replacement Egypt President Mursi explains army chief replacement
(about 1 hour later)
Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has said his move to order the retirement of two of the country's top generals was for "the benefit of this nation".Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has said his move to order the retirement of two of the country's top generals was for "the benefit of this nation".
He was speaking after replacing the powerful head of the armed forces, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, and the chief-of-staff, Gen Sami Annan.He was speaking after replacing the powerful head of the armed forces, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, and the chief-of-staff, Gen Sami Annan.
Mr Mursi also said a constitutional declaration by the military aimed at curbing his powers had been cancelled. Mr Mursi is said to have issued a new constitutional declaration giving him broad legislative and executive powers.
The generals assumed presidential powers after the fall of Hosni Mubarak.The generals assumed presidential powers after the fall of Hosni Mubarak.
Mr Mursi annulled a key constitutional declaration issued in June which gave the military legislative powers and budgetary controls as well as the right to oversee the process of drawing up a new permanent constitution.
It is not clear how the Supreme Constitutional Court will react to Mr Mursi's move to nullify the decree.
'Holy mission''Holy mission'
"The decisions I took today were not meant ever to target certain persons, nor did I intend to embarrass institutions, nor was my aim to narrow freedoms," Mr Mursi said during a speech to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan."The decisions I took today were not meant ever to target certain persons, nor did I intend to embarrass institutions, nor was my aim to narrow freedoms," Mr Mursi said during a speech to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
As he took office it seemed President Mohammed Mursi would be governing within narrow limits set by Egypt's generals - who had exercised power behind the throne for decades and then exercised it directly in the months since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. What is not clear is whether President Mohammed Mursi co-ordinated his actions with the armed forces.
But it is possible Mr Mursi's opponents may have underestimated him. Some analysts have suggested he must have got the agreement of Field Marshal Tantawi and Gen Annan, as it was said that they would continue to act as his advisers.
Egypt's army was unprepared for a recent attack on a security base in the Sinai desert by Islamic militants in which 16 soldiers died. President Mursi's move was triggered by an attack in the Sinai which saw 16 Egyptian soldiers killed. It also seems clear that other members of the Scaf gave their approval.
Mr Mursi appears to be seizing on that failure - which shocked ordinary Egyptians - to move against two key members of the high command. Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who has already been sworn in as the new defence minister, replacing Field Marshal Tantawi, sat on the council as the former head of military intelligence.
It may be that the move has been co-ordinated secretly with other influential generals behind the scenes but for now, no-one can be sure. Questions have been asked about Mr Mursi's constitutional powers to act. But a retired brigadier general, Ayman Salama, who is also an expert on international law, says he went about things correctly.
"I did not mean to send a negative message about anyone, but my aim was the benefit of this nation and its people," he said."I did not mean to send a negative message about anyone, but my aim was the benefit of this nation and its people," he said.
The president also praised the armed forces, saying they would now focus "on the holy mission of protecting the nation".The president also praised the armed forces, saying they would now focus "on the holy mission of protecting the nation".
It was announced earlier that a career army officer, Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, would replace Field Marshal Tantawi as both armed forces chief and defence minister.It was announced earlier that a career army officer, Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, would replace Field Marshal Tantawi as both armed forces chief and defence minister.
Field Marshal Tantawi, 76, has not yet indicated whether he accepts the moves.Field Marshal Tantawi, 76, has not yet indicated whether he accepts the moves.
However Gen Mohammed al-Assar, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), told the Reuters news agency the decision had been "based on consultation with the field marshal, and the rest of the military council". However, Gen Mohammed al-Assar, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), told the Reuters news agency the decision had been "based on consultation with the field marshal, and the rest of the military council".
A presidential spokesman said Gen Annan and Field Marshal Tantawi had been appointed as presidential advisers and were given Egypt's highest state honour, the Grand Collar of the Nile.A presidential spokesman said Gen Annan and Field Marshal Tantawi had been appointed as presidential advisers and were given Egypt's highest state honour, the Grand Collar of the Nile.
But it was not clear how far the generals, members of the Scaf, actually consented to a move that re-orders the country's political forces and gives Mr Mursi more powers while a new constitution is mooted, correspondents say.
"This clash between the new president and the military council was expected - but not this fast," analyst Gamal Soltan told Reuters.
"It can be considered a restructuring of the armed forces and an end to the role of Scaf in political life."
On Sunday, Mr Mursi also appointed Mahmoud Mekki as vice-president, a senior judge who fought for judicial independence under Hosni Mubarak.
Islamist raidIslamist raid
BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly says the dismissal of senior military officers will be seen by Egyptians as a decisive move in a struggle for real power between the country's newly elected politicians and the generals who have exercised power for many years.BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly says the dismissal of senior military officers will be seen by Egyptians as a decisive move in a struggle for real power between the country's newly elected politicians and the generals who have exercised power for many years.
As head of Scaf, Field Marshal Tantawi became Egypt's interim ruler after President Mubarak was ousted following last year's mass protests.As head of Scaf, Field Marshal Tantawi became Egypt's interim ruler after President Mubarak was ousted following last year's mass protests.
Under the interim constitutional declaration issued by Scaf before Mr Mursi was sworn in, the president could not rule on matters related to the military - including appointing its leaders.Under the interim constitutional declaration issued by Scaf before Mr Mursi was sworn in, the president could not rule on matters related to the military - including appointing its leaders.
The council also dissolved parliament, which is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP).The council also dissolved parliament, which is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP).
Tensions between the presidency and Scaf were further exacerbated after Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula killed 16 border guards last week, in a raid that embarrassed the military.Tensions between the presidency and Scaf were further exacerbated after Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula killed 16 border guards last week, in a raid that embarrassed the military.
The president sacked Egypt's intelligence chief and two senior generals following the attack.The president sacked Egypt's intelligence chief and two senior generals following the attack.
Mr Mursi resigned from his leadership positions within the Brotherhood, including his role as chairman of the FJP, when he won the presidential election in June.Mr Mursi resigned from his leadership positions within the Brotherhood, including his role as chairman of the FJP, when he won the presidential election in June.
Are you from Egypt? What is your reaction to Mursi's decision? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you from Egypt? What is your reaction to Mursi's decision? Please get in touch using the form below.