Egypt’s Morsi replaces military chiefs in bid to consolidate power

[gslv]

CAIRO — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi sacked the country’s two top military chiefs Sunday as part of a defense leadership shake-up that marked his boldest move to date to consolidate power and marginalize key holdovers of ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s reign.

Bolstered by a brazen attack last week in north Sinai that killed 16 Egyptian security forces, Morsi on Sunday swore in a new defense minister, who will command the armed forces, and made a handful of additional major personnel moves. The president also announced that he had suspended a controversial constitutional amendment the military generals passed on the eve of Morsi’s election giving themselves vast powers and emasculating the role of the presidency.

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The ousted military chiefs quietly stepped aside Sunday, but analysts said the move could trigger a backlash and further polarize a nation where many are wary of the intentions of the country’s first Islamist president. Morsi ran as the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, a venerable Islamist group that has yearned to lead Egypt for decades.

“This is a big moment of transformation in the history of Egypt,” said Zeinab Abul-Magd, a history professor at the American University in Cairo who has studied the military closely. “Now officially it is a Brotherhood state. Now it is official they are in full control of state institutions.”

Morsi’s election in June was hailed as a watershed moment for a nation governed by military autocrats for six decades. But efforts by members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to cement their vast authority through legal maneuvers appeared to set the stage for a weak president who would be subservient to the generals.

The ouster of Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the defense minister and top military chief, and his deputy, Gen. Sami Anan, suggested the Brotherhood is willing to act more quickly and assertively in taking control of key institutions than analysts predicted it would.

Morsi on Sunday also appointed senior judge Mahmoud Mekki as his vice president. The posting could enhance the president’s ability to respond to legal challenges and court cases at the heart of Egypt’s democratic transition.

Morsi appointed Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sissi as defense minister and commander of the armed forces, replacing Tantawi. Until his appointment, Sissi served as head of military intelligence and as a member of SCAF.

In June 2011, the previously low-profile commander gained attention when he told Amnesty International that “virginity tests” performed on female protesters during the revolution were meant to protect members of the military from accusations of rape. He vowed such tests would no longer be conducted.

The president also ordered the retirement of the commanders of the Air Force, Air Defense and the Navy. The Army’s chief of staff also was relieved of duty.

Brotherhood leaders called Morsi’s moves a logical step for a new leader who has promised to make a fresh break with Egypt’s authoritarian past. In recent weeks, Morsi visited military installations to share meals with low-level officers and soldiers. He also made complimentary statements about the armed forces.

Egypt’s Morsi replaces military chiefs in bid to consolidate power - The Washington Post

 

[Kompromat]

Awesome Kick the military junta where it hurts the most , he has a huge task of cleansing the armed forces from American and Israeli stooges , only then they truly would be Egyptian armed forces under an elected govt.

Good work !

 

[turbo charged]

Awesome Kick the military junta where it hurts the most , he has a huge task of cleansing the armed forces from American and Israeli stooges , only then they truly would be Egyptian armed forces under an elected govt.

Good work !

yes like erdogan of turkey.....he needs to arrest all these remains of hosni mubarak's mind set....only then will we see a new dawn of prosperity and development on egyptian soil.....also he should consider closing down the sherm ul sheikh tourist resort....a lot of anti-state stuff happens there since the party makers are all outsiders....when they all meet they all conspire.

morsi has support of masses...he shouldnt even worry...the same crowd that made hosni mubarak leave will make field marshal tantawi leave.no problem at all.

 

[KingMamba]

The greatest things the Egyptians did for their country was kicking out all the NGOs. They are the ones who cause the most mischief.

 

[A.Muqeet khan]

yes like erdogan of turkey.....he needs to arrest all these remains of hosni mubarak's mind set....only then will we see a new dawn of prosperity and development on egyptian soil.....also he should consider closing down the sherm ul sheikh tourist resort....a lot of anti-state stuff happens there since the party makers are all outsiders....when they all meet they all conspire.

morsi has support of masses...he shouldnt even worry...the same crowd that made hosni mubarak leave will make field marshal tantawi leave.no problem at all.

i hope but am not so sure so wait untill things clear out don't pin hope yet

 

[A1Kaid]

If I were the new Egyptian Government I would have done the same thing, smart pragmatic move by the new Government.

 

[Vassnti]

Awesome Kick the military junta where it hurts the most , he has a huge task of cleansing the armed forces from American and Israeli stooges , only then they truly would be Egyptian armed forces under an elected govt.

Good work !

But replace them with who's? The brotherhood that wasnt going for a majority wasnt running for a candidate for president now has its pick incharge of the military and its people drafting a new constitution. Things are moving very fast on a wave of euphoria. Perhaps im just way too cynical but if things keep moving at this speed the judges will be next and in six months you wont have anyone in Egypt in any power who isnt a card carrying member of the Brotherhood.

I hope im wrong.

 

[T-Rex]

But replace them with who's? The brotherhood that wasnt going for a majority wasnt running for a candidate for president now has its pick incharge of the military and its people drafting a new constitution. Things are moving very fast on a wave of euphoria. Perhaps im just way too cynical but if things keep moving at this speed the judges will be next and in six months you wont have anyone in Egypt in any power who isnt a card carrying member of the Brotherhood.

I hope im wrong.

Guess, who are complaining, the self-proclaimed champions of democracy! In the end they are not so democratic as they claim.

 

[Banglar Lathial]

Egyptian brothers and sisters are wise, knowledgeable and matured enough to know what is good for them. They should resolve their mutual differences amicably and present a determined, united stance against all enemies especially the ones dreaming about the establishment of a fanatic enclave of terror upon Gentiles all the way from the Nile to the Euphrates.

 

[T-Rex]

Egyptian brothers and sisters are wise, knowledgeable and matured enough to know what is good for them. They should resolve their mutual differences amicably and present a determined, united stance against all enemies especially the ones dreaming about the establishment of a fanatic enclave of terror upon Gentiles all the way from the Nile to the Euphrates.

But at the moment our Egyptian brothers and Muslims all over the Muslim World should guard against those dreaming about continuing their fanatic rule of corruption and persecution (some call it fascism) in the name of secularism.