Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted President Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday and declared the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court caretaker leader. Sisi also announced a freezing of the Islamist-drafted constitution and early presidential elections.
Army chief al-Sisi, speaking on national television in front of a row of prominent political and religious leaders, said the military was forced to act after President Mohammed Morsi had refused for weeks to set up a national reconciliation government.
As the news of the Army takeover reached protesters at the Tehrir Square, they started celebrations. People have gathered in large numbers and asked President Morsi to quit the presidency as he had failed in delivering what he had promised the nation. President Morsi had refused to resign despite the protests and had asked the opposition to come to the negotiation table.
Mohamed ElBaradei the opposition leader who managed to mobilize the public that lead to the ouster of President Morsi is thought to be the next leader of Egypt. He has served as Chief of IAEA and is said to have the backing of most of the Arab world.