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Live updates: Morsi ousted; head of constitutional court to take over Egypt presidency
Military statement suspends constitution, puts in place new caretaker government; Egyptian army deploy around Cairo as EgyptAhram Online, Wednesday 3 Jul 2013
Laser lights are seen as protesters, who are against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, gather in Tahrir Square in Cairo July 3, 2013 (Photo: Mai Shaheen)
RelatedUS ‘cannot confirm’ if military coup is underway in Egypt Egypt security slaps travel ban on Morsi, top Islamists: AFP Egypt presidency reiterates planned roadmap Egypt army meeting with political figures, statement expected soon after deadline expires 21:18 The Morsi supporters in their thousands at Rabaa Al-Adawiya are defiant.

21:15 El-Sisi’s speech specified that the constitution will be suspended temporarily; the head of the High Constitutional Court will take over the presidency and have powe until early presidential elections, that will be followed by parliamentary elections - dates as yet unspecified - and there will be a national coalition cabinet formed.

21:12 It looks like Misr 25, the Egyptian Brotherhood-run television channel, is off air.

21:10 The speech is over. There are massive celebrations going on at anti-Morsi rallies in Tahrir Square and Ittihadiya presidential palace in Cairo.

21:06 El-Sisi continues:

We have made many proposals to get out of the current crisis.

We met with the Egyptian president on 30 June, 2013, during which we rejected any threat to the Egyptian people.

We were hoping for reconciliation that would fulfill the aspirations of the people.

However, the president’s address did not live up to the expectations of the Egyptian people.

So we called for a meeting involving different parties, without excluding anyone.

Our roadmap consists of: 1- Suspending the constitution.

2-Holding early presidential elections. The High Constitutional Court head will be in charge of the country until then.

3-Forming a national coalition government.

4-Forming a committee to look into amendments of the constitution.

Taking measures to include the Egyptian youth in the decision-making process.

The armed forces call on the great Egyptian people to abstain from violence and resort to peaceful protest.

We salute the armed forces for their repeated sacrifices for the sake of the county.

21:04 Some initial quotes from the speech by the head of Egypt’s military:

The armed forces would never turn a blind eye towards the aspirations of the Egyptian people.

The armed forces will always be out of politics. The Egyptian people called on the armed forces to fulfill the goals of the revolution.

The armed forces understood the demands of the Egyptian people. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility.

Since November 2012, we have called for a national dialogue, which was accepted by all parties except the presidency.