NBCnews.com, By: Richard Engel, Charlene Gubash and Erin McClam, 07/02/2013
CAIRO — The Egyptian military said Wednesday that it had ousted President Mohammed Morsi and suspended the country’s constitution. Armored cars, tanks and troops deployed in the capital in what advisers to the president described as a coup. In a scene reminiscent of the earliest days of the Arab Spring, tens of thousands of Egyptians who had demanded the president’s ouster staged a jubilant celebration in Tahrir Square — dancing, cheering and setting off fireworks.
Earlier in the day, the president and the military each swore to fight to the death for control of the country, and a military deadline for Morsi to step aside came and went with no statement from the president.
Egypt's president has taken his most decisive step yet to assert power over the influential military - sacking two top generals. The Defence Minister, who served as the country's interim leader after Hosni Mubarak was ousted, was dismissed along with the Chief of Staff. Morsi started to move more boldly against the army after an attack by militants in Sinai that killed 16 border guards. For more, RT talks to Asia Times correspondent Pepe Escobar. Source: YouTube.com
