Asia

Home page

Asia

SCAF says Morsi’s reshuffle of military leaders normal change

13 August 2012 22:10 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) said Monday the decisions made by President Mohamed Morsi to reshuffle military leaders are normal, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

In their facebook page, SCAF said "the responsibility should be given to a new generation to start a new journey in serving Egypt and to devote themselves for this scared mission."

Under the title "Egypt is in the heart," the statement added the SCAF is a deep-rooted institution. Its approach is full discipline and it is committed to the legitimacy.

Yasser Ali, the presidency’s spokesman, denied Monday rumors that Hussein Tantawi and former Chief of Staff of the armed forces Sami Enan are under home arrest, affirming that they are part of the presidential team.

Since last year’s demonstration the army is holding the responsibility for protecting the country, despite challenges and threats during the transition period, the statement added.

"We didn’t seek to rule the country and we ran the elections with integrity and transparency to bring the first elected president," said the statement.

"Today the knight has to rest after sufferings of his tough journey. We will take revenge on those who attacked our soldiers, no matter what the sacrifices will be," the SCAF noted in the statement, adding the conflict between SCAF and the legitimate authority is fictional stories.

Morsi appointed Sunday Abdel Fatah el Seisy as defense minister and chief of the supreme council of the armed forces, presidential spokesman Yasser Ali announced.

El Seisy, 58, used to be the leader for the military north region. After that he was appointed as the chief of military intelligence.

El Seisy will replace Hussein Tantawi, who, along with former Chief of Staff of the armed forces Sami Enan, was ordered to retire Sunday.

Enan’s post will be filled by Sediqi Sobhi. Both Tantawi and Enan were appointed as advisers to the president.

Former judge Mahmoud Mekki was appointed as vice president.

Meanwhile, Morsi also issued a new constitutional declaration and cancelled the supplementary declaration issued in mid-June by the army.