In Upheaval for Egypt, Morsi Forces Out Military Chiefs

The New York Times ^ | August 12, 2012 | KAREEM FAHIM

[LucianOfSamasota]

CAIRO — President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt forced the retirement on Sunday of his powerful defense minister, the army chief of staff and other senior generals, moving more aggressively than ever before to reclaim political power that the military had seized since the fall of Hosni Mubarak last year.

Mr. Morsi also nullified a constitutional declaration, issued by the military before he took office on June 30, that had gutted the authority of his office. On Sunday, he replaced it with his own declaration, one that gave him broad legislative and executive powers and, potentially, a decisive role in the drafting of Egypt’s still unfinished new constitution.

The maneuvers by Mr. Morsi, a former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, cemented a major shift in power that began with his election in the face of intense opposition from the military. It received a decisive push this month after 16 Egyptian soldiers were killed in northern Sinai, deeply embarrassing the generals and weakening them politically.

Still, it was unclear on Sunday whether the generals would accept Mr. Morsi’s latest moves. One top general said the reshuffle was made in “consultations” between Mr. Morsi and the military. There was no sign of a backlash by the military on Sunday night, as the president’s supporters held large rallies in Cairo. And other figures from across the political spectrum hailed Mr. Morsi’s decision.

[LucianOfSamasota]

New Islamic Caliphate and global jihad. Compliments of BHO.

[p. henry]

I know that this election will be about the economy and entitlements (including Obamacare) and not foreign policy. However, sooner or later we will have to understand the damage done by Obama to American interests in the Middle East and North Africa from his Cairo speech to his confrontational relationship with Israel to the failure of the Iranian sanctions to his support of the Libyan opposition to his failure to negotiate a status of forces agreement in Iraq to whatever role the United States played in the removal of Mubarak.

There will be an accounting.

[noinfringers2]

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this the same Morsi who was a professor of some kind in the USA. If so he also has children, boys I think, who were born in the USA during the time. Now if a one of the children now back in Egypt with their father (assumed) decides in a few years he would like to be the first Muslim POTUSA because of the increased Muslem population and comes back to the USA and establishes eligibility residency can he be eligible for POTUSA? The person makes the claim that he was born in the USA and the citizenship/loyalty of his parents doesn’t matter all that matters is being born on USA soil.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Mr. Morsi is way ahead of you - I think I read where this is the exact scenario he envisions for his evil spawn.

[RoseofTexas]

Hmmmmm...could this be an early Oct surprise that could derail our presidential election? The muslim countries attacking Israel? The USA dragged into a full blown global war...GOD HELP US! OMuslimo would love anything more than to have those muslim countries attack Israel so that he can stay in power until the war ends or a new election date scheduled. I wouldn't doubt for one minute the evil bastard would declare himself king of the USA like Chavez or Castro for the good of the nation. Those countries once had freedoms and now look at how a hand full of evil dictators have imprisoned a nation of millions. Don't laugh, it could happen here too. Remember these evil liberals from the pit of HELL are very close in accomplishing their socialist goal or agenda in America!!

[B.O. Plenty]

This don't make any sense to me.

The only way that this could fly is that Morsi absloutely knows that the army is loyal to him and not to the generals. Otherwise, Morsi would be dog meat by now....and he just may be in the coming days and weeks.

The army is the real power in all lunatic regimes.

Nope...there is something else going on here. The generals are not going to just quit unless they know for sure that the lesser generals and officers do not support them.

[rbg81]

The generals are not going to just quit unless they know for sure that the lesser generals and officers do not support them.

---

I would be surprised if they just went quietly too.

[RoseofTexas]

Or they have been warned about guillotining close family members!

[SunkenCiv]

• Obama: "I want to make sure we end before the call to prayer"
• Iran Deploys Troops, Ballistic Missiles To Eritrea [2008]

[SunkenCiv]

from the FRchives:

• Mohammed Morsi tells Egypt army to 'protect the nation'
• Iran can build an N-bomb by Oct. 1. Cairo coup hampers Israeli action
• Egypt military shows no sign of opposing president
• Islamist takeover complete: Morsi Fires Top Defense Brass
• Egypt leader Mursi orders army chief Tantawi to resign
• Angry Egyptian Mourners Chase Morsi from Soldiers' Funeral
• Egypt's President Morsi leaves for Saudi on 1st foreign trip
• Egypt's parliament convenes in defiance of the military
• Egyptian Military Council Warns New Islamist President
• Egypt's president reconvenes dissolved parliament
• UAE welcomes Egypt Morsi's pledge not to 'export' revolt
• The Best and Brightest on the Left Lament Obama's Lost Egypt Revolution

[jdsteel]

Wow, NO one saw this coming! I mean, NO one!!! There was no way the Muslim Brotherhood would actually come to power in the Arab Spring! There was NO WAY any one could guess this!

And, of course, by no one I mean EVERYONE HERE AT FREE REPUBLIC.

[aruanan]

Mr. Morsi also nullified a constitutional declaration, issued by the military before he took office on June 30, that had gutted the authority of his office. On Sunday, he replaced it with his own declaration, one that gave him broad legislative and executive powers and, potentially,

Geez, military! Let your declaration to Morsi be that of high powered weapons! Leave the talking to the mullahs and politicians. Well, if there's anything left.