Fireworks fill Cairo skyline as protesters celebrate fall of Mohamed Morsi and the declaration of fresh elections
The Egyptian army has announced fresh presidential and parliamentary elections after ousting Mohamed Morsi from power.
In a televised address to the divided nation, commander of the armed forces, General Abdul Fatah Khalil al Sisi, said Mr Morsi had failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people and would be replaced.
Flanked by military officials, religious leaders and political figures, he unveiled details of a new political road map agreed with other public figures.
He declared a review and temporary suspension of the Egyptian constitution, and the appointment of the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state.
The military chief also announced a national reconciliation committee that would include youth movements - and warned the armed forces and police would deal "decisively" with any violence.
Fireworks burst over Cairo's Tahrir's Square where tens of thousands of anti-Morsi protesters erupted into cheers at the news.
"The people and the army are one hand," they shouted, amid the roar of horns and chanting.
Sky's foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall, reporting from the scene, said it was going to be "a difficult night" in the Egyptian capital.
"If elections are held in a few weeks, perhaps those who are so against coup d'etat and its anti-democratic sentiments can see it as part of a transitional period.
"These people will come back onto the streets in a few months time if the army tries to hang on to power, but I think the army knows that and so the elections will come within months, perhaps weeks."
In a televised address to the divided nation, commander of the armed forces, General Abdul Fatah Khalil al Sisi, said Mr Morsi had failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people and would be replaced.
Flanked by military officials, religious leaders and political figures, he unveiled details of a new political road map agreed with other public figures.
He declared a review and temporary suspension of the Egyptian constitution, and the appointment of the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state.
The military chief also announced a national reconciliation committee that would include youth movements - and warned the armed forces and police would deal "decisively" with any violence.
Fireworks burst over Cairo's Tahrir's Square where tens of thousands of anti-Morsi protesters erupted into cheers at the news.
"The people and the army are one hand," they shouted, amid the roar of horns and chanting.
Sky's foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall, reporting from the scene, said it was going to be "a difficult night" in the Egyptian capital.
"If elections are held in a few weeks, perhaps those who are so against coup d'etat and its anti-democratic sentiments can see it as part of a transitional period.
"These people will come back onto the streets in a few months time if the army tries to hang on to power, but I think the army knows that and so the elections will come within months, perhaps weeks."
Source : SkyNews
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