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Morsi retires military top brass

August 12, 2012

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has sent Defense Minister and Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi into retirement. He also suspended changes made to the constitution by the military.

https://p.dw.com/p/15oR4
Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Ganzoury, head of the military council Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, President Mohamed Morsi, and armed forces Chief of Staff Sami Anan during a graduation ceremony from the Air Force Academy, in Sharqiya, 140 km north east Cairo, Egypt, 10 July 2012. Egypt_s Islamist-led parliament convened on 10 July 2012, after President Mohammed Morsi on 08 July issued a decree reinstating parliament, which was dissolved by the military last month based on a court ruling. EPA/FADY FARES/EGYPTIAN PRESIDENCY HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Tantawi was replaced by Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, while the head of the armed forces, Sami Anan, was also ordered to retire with immediate affect, according to a presidential spokesman.

In addition, Islamist Morsi cancelled a constitutional declaration issued by the then-ruling army council in June, just before the military handed power to Morsi. The declaration had given the army sweeping powers.

Morsi also appointed Mahmoud Mekki, a former judge, as vice president.

Tantawi was a minister under ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak for 20 years. When Mubarak was toppled, Tantawi's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) effectively ruled the country until Morsi was elected.

It is not clear whether Tantawi and Anan were consulted before being sent into retirement.

"Given the circumstances, this is the right time to make changes in the military institution," said Mourad Ali from the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Freedom and Justice Party.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been at odds with the military after it retook control over parliament following a court decision to dissolve the legislature, where Islamists have a majority.

ng/msh (Reuters, dpa, AFP)