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File image of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

Egypt: New interim president sworn in as Morsi is ousted in 'coup'

President Barack Obama urged the military to hand back control to a democratic, civilian government but stopped short of calling it a coup d’etat.

THE TOP JUDGE of Egypt’s constitutional court, Adli Mansour, is to be sworn in as interim leader, hours after Egypt’s first democratically elected president was overthrown by the military.

Mohammed Morsi was ousted after just one year in office by the same kind of Arab Spring uprising that brought the Islamist leader to power.

Army chief Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced the new leader in a TV address on Wednesday evening, in what Mr Morsi said was a military coup. The armed forces also suspended the Islamist-drafted constitution and called for new elections.

Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi addressing the nation on Egyptian State Television saying the president is replaced by chief justice of constitutional court. (AP Photo/Egyptian State Television)

Millions of anti-Morsi protesters around the country erupted in celebrations after the televised announcement by the army chief. Fireworks burst over crowds in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, where men and women danced, shouting, “God is great” and “Long live Egypt.”

House arrest

A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood party, said Morsi was under house arrest at a Presidential Guard facility where he had been residing, and 12 presidential aides also were under house arrest.

The army took control of state media and blacked out TV stations operated by the Muslim Brotherhood. The head of the Brotherhood’s political wing was arrested.

The ouster of Morsi throws Egypt on an uncertain course, with a danger of further confrontation. It came after four days of mass demonstrations even larger than those of the 2011 Arab Spring that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian protesters chant slogans against Egyptian Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Wednesday. (AP Photo/ Manu Brabo)

Egyptians were angered that Morsi was giving too much power to his Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists and had failed to tackle the country’s mounting economic woes.

Beyond the fears over violence, some protesters are concerned whether an army-installed administration can lead to real democracy.

Obama – “deeply concerned”

President Barack Obama urged the military to hand back control to a democratic, civilian government as soon as possible but stopped short of calling it a coup d’etat.

He said he was “deeply concerned” by the military’s move to topple Morsi’s government and suspend Egypt’s constitution. He said he was ordering the U.S. government to assess what the military’s actions meant for U.S. foreign aid to Egypt — $1.5 billion a year in military and economic assistance.

Opponents of Egypt’s Islamist President Mohammed Morsi celebrate as they light flares and wave national flags and his picture with Arabic reads, “leave”. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

The U.S. wasn’t taking sides in the conflict, committing itself only to democracy and respect for the rule of law, Obama said.

On Monday, army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi had given Morsi an ultimatum to find a solution to meet the demands of anti-government demonstrators in 48 hours, but the 62-year-old former engineer defiantly insisted on his legitimacy from an election he won with 51.7 percent of the vote in June 2012.

- AP

IN PICTURES: Egypt protesters erupt in joy as army ousts Morsi>
More: Four killed as Egypt security forces’ failure to stop protest deaths criticised as ‘suspicious’>

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46 Comments
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    Mute DublinLad
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    Jul 4th 2013, 8:07 AM

    Does anyone see a trend with countries that are run by an Islamic Government’s? It seems that Sharia Law and Democracy cannot go hand in hand. You either have one or the other.

    All that said, the scenes in Cairo last night were amazing, I just hope that this will finally lead to some stablity, although I have my reservations.

    80
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    Mute Damien Murphy
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    Jul 4th 2013, 9:00 AM

    This is going to result in greater instability for a long time before it ever stabilises.

    The majority are right to be angry that Morsi has failed to do what he was elected to do, and to want him gone.

    That said, the Muslim Brotherhood have a very strong case for rejecting this coup as illegitimate and anti-democratic, and for feeling cheated out of the power they were legitimately elected into.

    No matter what, the Muslim Brotherhood will now feel they are once again being victimised and marginalised, and that’s a very unstable and dangerous state of affairs.

    34
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    Mute Cipiatone
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:15 AM

    The west and Islam cannot co exist. Islam should be banned across europe along with scientology and all the other crazy religions.

    37
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    Mute Charlotte Mann
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:32 AM

    Crazy Religions like Christianity? Yea I agree!

    38
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    Mute Damien Murphy
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:33 AM

    Even as an atheist, I know that’s absolute drivel.

    Stop for one second and consider the consequences of banning the belief system of tens of million people in Europe. Or just open your history book.

    That kind of thinking (or *lack of* thinking) is the main cause of the sense of conflict between Islam and the “west” – it’s certainly about as far from a solution to it as you can get.

    Educate yourself before spouting such nonsense.

    33
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    Mute Kenneth Bailey
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:54 AM

    It is a nice thought though no matter how impossible it is to do that

    14
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    Mute Niall
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    Jul 4th 2013, 8:46 AM

    If there was a military coup in Ireland, the army would probably lose

    67
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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Jul 4th 2013, 8:31 AM

    We should send in the FCA to get rid of Enda.

    29
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    Mute Rick MacRory
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    Jul 4th 2013, 9:44 AM

    Figo
    The FCA doesn’t exist any more!

    10
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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Jul 4th 2013, 9:46 AM

    Blow the FCA. They’ll come.

    7
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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Jul 4th 2013, 9:48 AM

    *blow the FCA horn. They’ll come.

    10
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    Mute Little Jim
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    Jul 4th 2013, 11:57 AM

    Hi, I’m fca..

    2
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    Mute Matt Crosbie
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:16 PM

    figo, your first comment was funnier

    4
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 11:21 AM

    Even though the Military removed Morsi they a have replaced him with a civilian Judge. Many were surprised when they allowed elections last time too. They have shown that are not interested in power for themselves but acted in the interests of the country.
    When the Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood came to power they claimed that they would govern for the good of all the Egyptian people. But what was the first thing they did! They re-wrote the constitution to a heavily Islamic slant. And were intent on bringing in Sharia law. Where eventually democracy would have been extinguished. The people of Egypt said NO. This is not what the revolution was about. They want a Western Secular Democratic Government. They want a country where civil liberties are enshrined. Not another Iran or Saudi.

    26
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 11:38 AM

    Mick – Isn’t great that you have the ability to know what 80+ million Egyptian’s want.

    9
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 11:48 AM

    Its fantastic Kevin.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:10 PM

    I’d love to have your abilities. Is it a supernatural one or a mixture of abilities?

    4
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:22 PM

    Kevin, why don’t you tell us more about the Egyptian military apart from the one liner that you gave yesterday about the US paying the salaries of Egypt’s military. How knowledgeable you are.
    I don’t think anything you have to say will make one iota of difference in this world. What’s going on in Egypt is beyond your comprehension.

    12
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:25 PM

    Declan do you disagree that the US pays the salaries of the Egyptian military?

    5
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:37 PM

    Kevin, its more accurate to say that Egypt is the 3rd largest recipient of US military aid or that its in the top 4. As of 2010 it was Afghanistan in 1st place followed by Israel, then Israel then Iraq.
    Having a knee jerk reaction to this does not advance the debate.

    8
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:38 PM

    I said Israel twice in that. I should have said Egypt.

    8
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 1:00 PM

    Not sure what you are saying. Afghanistan, Iraq and Egypt’s military are paid for by the US is that it? All bastions of democracy I’m sure you will suggest.

    3
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 1:44 PM

    Kevin 30 million people actually came out on to the streets to protest and demand Morsi and the Brotherhood to step down. Now those that came out to protest for Morsi and the Brotherhood were estimated in the 10′s of thousands. Big difference in 30 million and 20-30 Thousand. Now the population of Egypt is 80 million. Where were the other 50 million that you seem to think supported Morsi? Where were the Millions of people demonstrating in support of the Morsi government? Morsi could have stepped down and called elections and went back to the people for a new mandate. He refused and the Army acted to keep the country from decending into chaos.

    6
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 2:06 PM

    Mick – There you go again. Love to know how you counted 30 million protesters. Have you got psychic abilities? Back in the real world 51% voted for Morsi in free and fair elections last year. Last opinion poll taken in May by PEW showed his support had increased to 53%.

    2
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    Mute Daniel Burke
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    Jul 4th 2013, 2:24 PM

    Kevin, if you actually speak to people in Egypt, there is far less support for Morsi than 51%. The Muslim Brotherhood paid many poor people in certain regions to vote for Morsi. The proportional representation meant that he received a higher percentage of votes in these regions. Many Egyptians including Coptic, Muslim and secular abstained from voting in protest.

    5
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 2:36 PM

    Kevin every single news organization on the planet has stated those numbers. Can’t all be wrong.

    4
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 2:38 PM

    Subjectivity.

    1
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 2:42 PM

    Mick – provide a link to just one.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 2:54 PM

    http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/03/opinion/opinion-egypt-protests-ziada/index.html

    And that is just for Cairo it doesn’t include Alexandria, Aswan, Suez and the other cities and towns.

    3
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 3:06 PM

    And a few questions for you Kevin. If Morsi had such popular support where where the massive demonstrations in his favor? Why if he had 51%of the popular vote didn’t he resign and go back to the people for a new mandate?

    4
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 3:56 PM

    Mick – The link you provided says millions not 30 million. Try again!

    1
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 4:06 PM

    Try answering my questions.

    1
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 4:45 PM

    Mick – Justify your assertion that every news organization in the world reported that 30 million people came out to protest against Morsi. If you are correct it shouldn’t be hard. Just one source will suffice.

    1
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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 5:11 PM

    Answer my questions if you can.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 5:25 PM

    Mick – Am I correct to take it that you accept that no news organization in the world reported 30 million people protested against Morsi as you previously asserted?

    1
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    Mute B Lowe
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:13 AM

    Did you hear that? Obama said he would respect the rule of law according to AP.

    If it was anybody else the press would be questioning the state of mind of the person and wondering were they split personality.
    Obama has done nothing about keeping prisoners loved up for over 10 years without a single charge and being denied basic human rights(Gutanamo Bay).
    Obama authorised an illegal drone strikes yesterday in Pakistan. It was a clear breach of any law.

    Why do journalists(this case an international news agency) unquestioningly accept the dribble. They must be bought off.

    20
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    Mute Matt Crosbie
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:17 PM

    loved up. who’d have a problem with that?

    3
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    Mute Damien Murphy
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    Jul 4th 2013, 9:45 AM

    With Muslim Brotherhood members arrested, it sounds like the movement is being outlawed again. Bad move. Things were horrendous when it was outlawed before, but if is forced underground again – having now tried democracy and seen it fail – then the consequences could be a lot worse than before. And a lot harder to remedy.

    17
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 11:30 AM

    Germany’s Foreign Minister says yesterday’s events represent a heavy set back to democracy for Egyptians.

    4
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    Mute Adam Assahli
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:25 AM

    Whether you agree with the Muslim brotherhood or not, this is an undemocratic grab for power. The MB were democratically elected in and have now been ousted because he failed the people , despite only being in office for less than a year.

    If a secular leader was being ousted by the Muslim Brotherhood, everyone’s support for this coup would be going straight down the swanny.

    14
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:57 PM

    Just because you were democratically elected it does not give you the right to do whatever the hell you like. Unlike in this country the people of Egypt expected Morsi to stick to his election promises. He proceeded to do exactly the opposite and has been ousted for it. If anything this is a lesson for us if people are willing to pay attention.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:38 AM

    Obama not taking sides? To believe this you must accept the following.

    1.The US has zero influence on the military which it bank rolls.

    2. Israel has zero influence on US foreign policy concerning its most populous neighbour.

    Think about it.

    10
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 4th 2013, 10:32 AM

    Strange the the rulers of the free world can not find it in them selfs to condemn the overthrow of an elected government by the same armed force who install Mubarak to power. Military back to business as usual. Fu@k sake America were you involved in this ? Your statement gives the army generals the green light. Shame on the rulers of the world (or so they would have us believe)

    8
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    Mute Joseph Wearen
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:14 PM

    This Mansour character looks interesting. According to the BBC he will form an “interim” technocratic government. His final two years in education were spent at France’s École Nationale d’Administration. Past alumni include these international organisations presidents: Pascal Lamy (World Trade Organisation), Jean-Claude Trichet (European Central Bank), Michel Camdessus (International Monetary Fund), Jacques de Larosière (International Monetary Fund), (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). I think we can all see where this is going, can’t we? Enjoy your celebrations Egypt.

    7
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    Mute Eamonn Colfer
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    Jul 4th 2013, 11:48 AM

    The CIA were probably behind this like Iran in 1954, when they were handing out money to demonstrators.

    7
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 4th 2013, 12:16 PM

    Eamonn – the leader of the free would do no such thing even when it’s official confirmed. It’s just another mad conspiracy theory they say.

    “On 19 August 1953, a pro-Shah mob, paid by the CIA, marched on Mosaddegh’s residence. According to the CIA’s declassified documents and records, some of the most feared mobsters in Tehran were hired by the CIA to stage pro-Shah riots on 19 August. Other CIA-paid men were brought into Tehran in buses and trucks, and took over the streets of the city. Between 300 and 800 people were killed because of the conflict.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

    7
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