Post date: Jul 03, 2013 9:59:35 PM
Protesters celebrate in Cairo's Tahrir Square after the armed forces announce political transition.
CAIRO, EGYPT (JULY 3, 2013) (REUTERS) - Egypt's armed forces overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday (July 3) and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders.
After the announcement, hundreds of thousands of anti-Mursi protesters in centralCairo's Tahrir Square erupted into wild cheering, setting off fireworks and waving flags. Cars drove around the capital honking their horns in celebration.After a day of drama in which tanks and troops deployed near the presidential palace as a military deadline for Mursi to yield to mass protests passed, the toparmy commander announced on television that the president had "failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people".
Flanked by political and religious leaders and top generals, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the suspension of the Islamist-tinged constitution and a roadmap for a return to democratic rule under a revised rulebook.
The president of the supreme constitutional court will act as interim head of state, assisted by an interim council and a technocratic government until new presidential and parliamentary elections are held.