Egypt’s President Orders Military Chief Tantawi To Retire, Cancels SCAF Declaration

Islamist President Mohamed Morsi ordered Egypt’s two top generals to retire, including Hussein Tantawi who led the nation after Hosni Mubarak was ousted, and appointed two generals in their place, the presidential spokesman announced on Sunday.

President Mohamed Morsi also cancelled a constitutional declaration aiming to limit presidential powers which the ruling army council issued in June as the election that brought Morsi to power drew to a close.

Defence Minister Tantawi, who served Mubarak as a minister for 20 years, and Chief of Staff Sami Enan were both appointed as advisers to Morsi. Spokesman Yasser Ali said the changes among Egypt’s top brass were effective immediately.

The Egyptian president’s decision to order Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi to retire from his posts of defense minister and head of the armed forces was taken in consultation with him and the army council, a general said.

“The decision was based on consultation with the field marshal and the rest of the military council,” General Mohamed el-Assar told Reuters. In a reshuffle of the top brass announced on Sunday, Assar was appointed deputy defense minister.