As the fluid situation in Egypt continues to evolve, President Obama is urging the military to restore democracy. Late Wednesday the military suspended the constitution.
President Mohamed Morsi was ousted in a coup as the announcement of new elections was made.
Obama stated that the US is “deeply concerned” about the turn of events in Egypt and the military’s decision to remove Morsi and suspend the Egyptian constitution.
He urged the military to “move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government.”
The president stated that the US does not support a particular party, but that they are committed to the democratic process and the respect for the rule of law.
“The United States is monitoring the very fluid situation in Egypt, and we believe that ultimately the future of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people.” Obama said.
Obama urged the military “to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible.”
The Egyptian military stated that their actions “were aimed at resolving the country’s debilitating political crisis.”
In a televised address to the nation General Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, said the chief of Egypt’s constitutional court “will assume the presidency” on an interim basis until a new presidential election is held.
Morsi took to his official Twitter account on Wednesday following Sissi’s statement.
“Measures announced by the armed forces’ leadership represent a full coup, categorically rejected by all the free men of our nation.”
In a video apparently taken with a cell phone camera Morsi said,
“They want to suspend this constitution, and I refuse that completely.”
Clashes took place in and around Cairo between pro and anti government supporters forcing police to disburse them using tear gas.
Sissi said the military had responded to the people’s demands in an act of “public service”.
The situation in Egypt continues to develops and more updates are to be expected.
[Image via Mohamed Elsayyed / Shutterstock.com ]
