Morsi ousted, constitution suspended, army in control (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

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News Source: Russia Today

President Mohamed Morsi was stripped of his power and detained by the Egyptian army as the constitution has been suspended. Those gathered on Cairo’s Tahrir Square welcomed the news with cheers, although post-coup Egypt remains highly unstable.

Morsi has reportedly been detained, separated from other officials and taken to a Ministry of Defense facility, according to the Muslim Brotherhood. Arrest warrants have been issued for some 300 members of the Islamist movement. The head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, Saad El-Katatni, as well as Muslim Brotherhood’s deputy chief, Khairet el Shater, were arrested.

"The address of the president yesterday did not meet the demands of the masses of the people," General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said in a statement, adding the military held talks with various groups throughout Wednesday to work out a roadmap "putting an end to the state of division."

Millions across Egypt erupted into celebrations after the announcement by the military was made, with crowds chanting pro-army slogans and setting off fireworks.

“The mood remains one of jubilance. All of this however against a backdrop of a deeply divided and dangerous Egypt,” RT’s Paula Slier reported from Tahrir Square early on Thursday morning.

Morsi had earlier stated that he does not recognize the "military coup" and called on Egyptians to stand against it.

Supporters of the ousted President clashed with the anti-government activists overnight with the death toll amounting to 32 people.

“We are being told that the army is making its way to a pro-Morsi demonstration outside Cairo University. It is trying to isolate pro-Morsi demonstrators,” Slier reported from Cairo, saying the situation their remains fluid.

Meanwhile, an Egyptian security official in the border area with Israel, speaking on condition of anonymity, has confirmed that about 50 tanks were deployed in the area overnight.

Protesters, who are against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, react in Tahrir Square in Cairo July 3, 2013 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)

The military have taken Al-Jazeera’s Egyptian broadcast off air. Its offices in Cairo were reportedly raided and at least five members of staff arrested. All media outlets associated with the Muslim Brotherhood have gone black.

In his first decision following Morsi's ouster, Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim moved to close all “religious channels,” which include the Salafi oriented Al-Nas and Al-Hafez channels, reports the Egypt Independent. However, it came to light early Thursday morning that all detained heads of religious TV channels had been released from custody.

It was further announced that Egypt's chief justice of the constitutional court, Judge Adly Mansour, is set to become the interim president.

"The military's roadmap consists of dissolving the constitution and holding early presidential elections," Sisi stated. He called for a panel would review the constitution and a national reconciliation committee which would include youth movements. He said the roadmap had been approved by a range of political groups.

The time frame of the presidential and parliamentary elections will be determined by an interim administration, the spokesman told Reuters.

An image grab taken from Egyptian state TV shows Egyptian Defence Minister Abdelfatah al-Sissi delivering a statement on July 3, 2013 announcing the ousting of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi (AFP Photo / Egyptian TV)

Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed El-Baradei said the Arab Spring revolution has been relaunched as a result of the army-sponsored roadmap.

He added that the roadmap met demands for early presidential elections as called for by the liberal coalition. Egypt’s second largest Islamist group, the Nour Party, has also agreed to the army’s roadmap.

Egypt's Pope Tawadros, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, says the roadmap ensures security for all Egyptians and offers a political vision, local media reported.

World leaders urge non-violence and return to democracy

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for Egypt’s military to “move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government.” Obama also outlined in his statement the expectation that the military would “ensure that the rights of all Egyptian men and women are protected, including the right to peaceful assembly, due process, and free and fair trials.”

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the chairman of the budget committee for the State Department and foreign assistance, slammed the ouster of Morsi in a statement, warning Egypt that US aid to the country may subsequently be cut off. The US currently provides Egypt with some $1.5 billion in annual financial assistance, most of which is in the form of military aid.

“Egypt’s military leaders say they have no intent or desire to govern, and I hope they make good on their promise. In the meantime, our law is clear: US aid is cut off when a democratically elected government is deposed by military coup or decree.”

An Egyptian family on motorcycle celebrates in Cairo on July 3, 2013 after a broadcast confirming that the army will temporarily be taking over from the country's first democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi (AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki)

Senator Leahy has authored the most recent stipulations on US military aid to Egypt, which were enacted last year. Though, as Leahy’s own website notes, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and her incumbent John Kerry had previously “used their authority to waive the Leahy conditions.”

By contrast, President Obama’s statements on the Egyptian military’s actions also mentioned aid, but were more general in nature. The president said his administration was "concerned," and that there would be a review of aid given to the country.

The US ordered a mandatory evacuation of its embassy on Wednesday, and announced a travel advisory for all citizens.

The European Union has urged Egypt to return to civilian rule and the restrain from the use of force.

“I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process, including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the approval of a constitution,” EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement. “I strongly condemn all violent acts, offer my condolences to the families of the victims, and urge the security forces to do everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being of Egyptian citizens,” she added.

Fireworks light up the sky as Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians celebrate after Egytptian Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's speech announcing The Egyptian army toppling Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in Egypt's landmark Tahrir square on July 3, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki)

UN chief Ban Ki-Moon urged non-violence in Egypt and called on the people to stay calm and show restraint, also urging dialogue between the country's political factions.

Gulf nations welcomed the ouster of Morsi. Saudi Arabian King Abdullah sent a message of congratulations to the head of the Egyptian Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, who had been appointed as interim head of state.

"In my own name and on behalf of the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I congratulate you on assuming the leadership of Egypt at this critical point of its history," the message cited by SPA state news agency reads.

The United Arab Emirates have expressed their satisfaction with the developments in Egypt, according to the WAM state news agency which cited the country’s Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan as saying that “the great Egyptian army was able to prove again that they are the fence of Egypt and that they are the protector and strong shield that guarantee Egypt will remain a state of institutions and law."

Egyptians attacked at security HQs

A file photo of protests in Egypt

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168631.html

Gunmen have attacked Egyptian protesters as they tried to storm the state security headquarters in the capital Cairo to seize documents of the former regime's rights violations.

Armed men assailed hundreds of Egyptian protesters with knives and rocks as they attempted to enter the capital city's security offices on Sunday in order to retrieve records of human rights abuse during the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak.

The army also intervened, firing warning shots and using sticks to disperse the crowd, reports say.

"The protesters were attacked by the thugs that are brought out at all the demonstrations. They had large knives and were throwing large rocks straight at the protesters," AFP quoted a witness as saying.

"The protesters are now really angry and heading to Tahrir (Liberation) Square," the epicenter of anti-regime protests that toppled Mubarak in February, the witness added.

Despite the violence, hundreds managed to storm the internal security organization and seize some dossiers, purportedly on human rights violations.

Around 2,500 protesters stormed the state security building in Cairo's Nasr City "grabbing official documents before officials could burn or shred them," a security officer told AFP.

This comes a day after protesters gathered outside the state security agency in Alexandria, accusing officers inside the building of destroying evidence of rights abuses.

Protesters have called for the closure of the country's security agency, otherwise known as 'Amn al-Dowla', and the prosecution of its leaders.

Rights activists maintain that the agency was the main tool of repression used by Mubarak's regime for approximately 30 years. Under Egypt's emergency law, it routinely arrested citizens and tortured them, activists allege. Since Mubarak's downfall on February 11, the security agencies have remained operational, but have maintained a low profile.

Egypt group to unveil secret files

A file photo of Egypt's crackdown on protesters

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168626.html

Egyptian revolutionaries say they are set to disclose information incriminating senior officials over their involvement in the violent crackdown on anti-regime protests.

A number of “documents will soon be declassified, showing some senior Egyptian officials' connections with the country's Security Organization in the repression of people and protesters,” Ahmed al-Dowma, a member of Egypt's Youths Coalition of Revolution Rage, told Iran's Arabic-language news channel Al-Alam on Sunday.

He said that the group has already published some records of the country's security organization which was “the main arm in the suppression, slaughter and torture of Egyptians” under the regime of the deposed President Hosni Mubarak.

Dowma said that the revolutionary forces discovered instruments of torture and graves of those who lost their lives under the regime's brutal inquisition during a raid on the security organization offices.

Reports indicate that thousands of protesters stormed buildings belonging to Egypt's internal security forces over the weekend, seizing what protesters described as a treasure trove of documents related to the regime of the ousted ruler.

Crowds of people broke into three Interior Ministry buildings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including the Cairo headquarters for Amn al-Dowla, the agency responsible for domestic security. Some of the buildings were set afire.

Protesters clashed with army troops on Sunday as they tried to enter an Amn al-Dowla building in downtown Cairo. Troops fired shots into the air to disperse the protesters.

Egypt's military government didn't respond to a request for comments.

According to human-rights activists, Amn al-Dowla was the main tool of repression used by Mubarak's regime during his decades-long grip on power. Under Egypt's emergency law, it routinely arrested citizens and tortured them. Since Mubarak's ouster, the security forces are still running but have kept out of the public eye.

Activists said they entered the buildings because security officials from the former regime had been engaged in destroying documents -- potentially eliminating evidence that could be used to prosecute former officials for crimes, including torture.

Violence erupts in Egypt's Alexandria

Security forces have been accused of human rights violations in Egypt. file photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168245.html

Violent clashes have erupted between anti-government protesters and the police in the Egyptian city of Alexandria where protesters lay siege to state security building.

The violence broke out after more than a thousand protesters stormed the state security headquarters in the city, according to the Associated Press.

Reports say security officers inside the building used live ammunition and petrol bombs to try to disperse the anti-government protesters, seriously injuring at least three people.

Egyptian local media and protesters on the ground in Alexandria said that police personnel in the building were seen setting fire to and shredding sensitive documents, including passports and national identification cards.

The activists who called for the protest say they are demanding the abolition of the state security apparatus and an end to emergency laws.

They say security agencies have arrested and tortured thousands of activists and killed many under the rule of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Essam Sharif, the newly appointed Egyptian prime minister, spoke to thousands of anti-government campaigners in Cairo's Liberation Square on Friday morning, where he pointed out that the state security apparatus must work for the good of the people.

Egypt's interim Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq resigned, following weeks of massive protests demanding that the government be purged of all remnants of the Mubarak regime.

Protesters say they are skeptical about a rapid transition toward democracy and civilian rule and maintain that demonstrations will continue until all their demands are met.

The developments come weeks after Mubarak handed over power to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is headed by Defense Minister Gen. Mohammed Tantawi.

US senators in Cairo discuss developments

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/167412.html

In the first US senate visit to Egypt after the revolution, congressmen John McCain and Joseph Lieberman met with Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Mussa to discuss the latest developments in Egypt.

However, members of the Muslim Brotherhood have a different idea. They say that under the pretext of support for democratic reforms, the United States is trying to steer the Egyptian revolution in a different direction, one that would protect the long-standing US and Israeli interests. Muslim Brotherhood Leader Esam el Arian had this to say:

Given the misjudgments and miscues of the recent past, many in Egypt are of the opinion that Americans should acknowledge that the U.S. cannot determine what will come next. In its own interests and in the interests of those engaged in their own struggle for freedom and opportunity, the say, the U.S. should get out of the way.

Egypt army apologizes for crackdown

Egyptian military police scuffles with pro-democracy protesters in Cairo's Liberation Square on Feb. 25, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/167169.html

Egypt's ruling military council has apologized, after military police used force to break up a recent protest rally in Cairo's Liberation Square.

"What happened late Friday was the result of unintentional confrontations between the military police and the youth of the revolution," the military said in a statement.

But the apology has failed to satisfy Egyptian activists who are calling for fresh protests to denounce violence by the authorities.

Thousands of Egyptians gathered in Liberation Square on Friday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, who was appointed by ousted president Hosni Mubarak toward the end of his rule.

They also called for an immediate release of the remaining political detainees.

But military police surrounded protesters shortly after midnight, beating them with batons and attacking them with tasers.

Activists have also called for the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of military court. They have vowed to continue demonstrations until the Egyptian army agrees to the reforms.

Protesters want the military council to hand over power to a civilian government. They say they do not want any members of Mubarak's ruling party in the post-revolution government.

The developments come as popular revolutions continue to sweep US-backed autocratic regimes across North Africa and the Middle East.

Egypt protesters call for civilian rule

Egyptians wave by their flags in Cairo's Liberation Square on Feb. 25, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166982.html

Thousands of Egyptians have taken over Cairo's liberation Square to demand the military council hand over power to a civilian government.

Protesters also want the army to dissolve Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq's cabinet, which was appointed by ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

Massive anti-government protests toppled Mubarak's regime two weeks ago. Mubarak handed power over to the high military council, despite millions-plus pro-democracy demonstrations.

Pro-democracy protesters have recently held massive demonstrations in Cairo, calling for a quicker transfer of power from the interim military government to a civilian one.

Reports say tanks and soldiers have remained at intersections in Cairo since Mubarak was toppled in an 18-day uprising early this month.

Activists have called for the release of political prisoners, the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of military court.

They have vowed to continue demonstrations until the Egyptian army agrees to the reforms.

The developments come as popular revolutions continue to sweep US-backed autocratic regimes across North Africa and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, in Jordan, thousands of security forces have been deployed across the capital Amman on a planned 'Day of Anger.'

Thousands of members of Jordan's Islamic Action Front as well as supporters of major political parties are to march and call for reforms.

Millions call for civilian rule in Egypt

Millions gather in Cairo's Libration square for Friday prayers and a demonstration on Feb. 18, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/165835.html

Millions of Egyptian demonstrators are holding a rally in the capital, Cairo, to demand the military hand over power to a civilian government.

Some three million participants in the massive rally have gathered at Cairo's Liberation Square, which has been the epicenter of the Egyptian Revolution. Thousands more were expected to join the rally after the Friday Prayers.

Also in Alexandria, large numbers of people are also celebrating the fall of Mubarak.

US-backed President Hosni Mubarak stepped down last Friday after ruling Egypt for three decades.

His resignation followed nearly three weeks of massive nationwide demonstrations against his regime.

After Mubarak's ouster, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over all his powers.

The military council has said it will allow the formation of a civilian government only after the September elections. But the Egyptians want the junta to immediately transfer power to a civilian government.

The families of those killed during the struggle for freedom are caught between happiness for their country, and grief over their lost ones, a Press TV correspondent reported from Cairo.

Official figures show at least 365 people have been killed and about 5,500 wounded in the Egyptian Revolution.

Activists have demanded the release of political prisoners, the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of military court. They say demonstrations will continue until the army accepts the reforms.

Egyptians to demand rights in march

Egyptian people are planning to hold "march of victory" on friday

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/165800.html

Egyptian people intend to hold a massive protest march in the capital Cairo to demand new rights and implementation of changes pledged by the military council that has temporarily taken over power in the country.

The march, planned for Friday, is also viewed as a warning to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces that assumed power last week following Mubarak's ouster, Reuters reported.

The army has since come under pressure to hand over power to a civilian government, carry out political reforms and lift emergency regulations that have been enforced for the past thirty years.

Mubarak's overthrow has raised serious concerns in the United States and Israel, where major financial and military support for the dictator's regime was taken for granted.

Many pro-democracy protesters remain in detention. Amnesty International has called on the military to "intervene to end torture and other abuse of detainees, which have been taking place in military custody."

Life has not returned to normal in Egypt, with banks and schools still closed and the public sector staff on strike. Workers have been protesting against low wages and poor working conditions.

Employees have also expressed outrage at corruption and abuse of power by the cronies of Mubarak and have pressed the public prosecutor to take strict measures against them.

On Thursday, four top officials, including three ministers, were arrested on allegations of money-laundering and abuse of office.