2025 GMT: Egypt Video — The Moment Tahrir Square Heard Morsi Was Ousted

Live Stream from Opposition Protests in Tahrir Square and at Presidential Palace

Latest Updates, From Top to Bottom

2025 GMT: Egypt Video — The Moment Tahrir Square Heard Morsi Was Ousted

1958 GMT: The Military Statement — Morsi Rejects as “Full Coup”

A verified Twitter account for the President’s office puts out a series of reactions:

An audio message from Morsi, “I am the only legitimate president in Egypt”, has been broadcast to his supporters at the Nasr City rally, according to Al Jazeera.

The official website of the Muslim Brotherhood, writes that the military’s announcement is a “conspiracy against legitimacy, a military coup that wastes popular will and brings Egypt back to despotism”.

1938 GMT: The Military Statement — Muslim Brotherhood Blacked Out

Al Jazeera English reports that the TV channel of the Muslim Brotherhood, Misr25, has “gone to black”.

Other religious channels such as Alnas and Rahma are also off-air, with claims that their staff and that of Misr25 have been evacuated from studios by police.

1933 GMT: The Military Statement — Morsi Supporters Take Oath to “Protect Egypt” Against Coup

The enraged pro-Government crowd at Nasr City in Cairo has taken a mass oath to oppose the military’s takeover of power, pledging to uphold President Morsi. They shout, “Illegitamate”, in response to the statement of the armed forces.

1928 GMT: The Military Statement — Opposition Leader ElBaradei Endorses

Mohamed ElBaradei, a leader of the opposition National Salvation Front, has said the military’s “roadmap” was a response to the demands of the people: “Together we can guarantee and secure all our rights.”

ElBaradei continues, “This guarantees the national reconciliation process where we can live as one harmonious people. I hope it will be stepping stone for a new launch of the Rvolution where people sacrificed for their freedom and dignity.”

1925 GMT: The Military Statement — The 4-Step Political Process

The military’s “roadmap”, as presented by the head of armed forces tonight:

1. Dissolving the Constitution;
2. Holding early Presidential elections, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court head in charge of the country until then;
3. Forming a national coalition government;
4. Forming a committee to look into amendments of the Constitution.

1918 GMT: The Military Statement — Sheikh of Al Azhar Mosque and Coptic Christian Pope Bless

The Sheikh of Al Azhar Mosque, Ahmed El Tayeb, has given his endorsement to the military takeover of power: “We hope that the opposing sides can come together and mend fences.”

The Coptic Christian leader, Pope Towadros, follows with his blessing “under the Egyptian flag and the people in the Valley of the Nile”.

1910 GMT: The Military Statement — Morsi Out

President Morsi has been removed from power by the military.

The head of armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi says Morsi’s speech on Tuesday fell short of the demands of the people, claiming that the President reject the army’s call for national dialogue in November as he attempted to expand his powers.

Al-Sisi said the armed forces met with President Morsi on 22 June, telling him that they opposed “defamation of the State”.

Al-Sissi concludes his statement, “God protect Egypt and its great people”.

Crowds in Tahrir Square have erupted in celebration — the sound on Al Jazeera English’s broadcast is almost deafening.

1907 GMT: The Military Statement — Constitution Suspended

The Constitution is suspended and the Chief Justice of Supreme Constitutional Court, Adel Mansour, is the ceremonial President.

1902 GMT: The Military Statement

The broadcast of the military’s statement has begun, with the head of the armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, making opening comments.

1858 GMT: Report: Army Tells Morsi He’s No Longer President

Reuters are reporting that state-run Al-Ahram paper quotes a presidency source as saying the Army told Morsi at 7 pm (17:00 GMT) that he was no longer President.

1843 GMT: Video — Crowds In Cairo, Alexandria Wait For Army Statement

AP have posted this raw video of crowds amassing in Cairo and Alexandria, as the country waits for the army statement:

1830 GMT: Military “Roadmap” To Be Presented Soon on TV

A spokesman for the Egyptian military says that, with a meeting between heads of the armed forces now ended with civilian and religious figures, a statement on the political situation will be issued within the hour.

Significanlty, the statement will be delivered by the Sheikh of Al Azhar University, one of the leading religious instititions in the Sunni Muslim world, the Coptic Christian Pope, and opposition leader Mohamed El Baradei.

1826 GMT: Senior Brotherhood Official: “This is Nothing Short of A Coup”

Mohamed El-Beltagy, the deputy head of the Freedom and Justice Party, has joined Presidential advisor Essam al-Haddad in calling the military’s steps a “coup”:

He said from the pro-Government rally at Rabaa Al-Adawiya Mosque:

This is nothing short of a coup. A coup against legitimacy, against the will of the people, against the ballot box, and the democratically approved constitution. Everyone knows that we have never initiated violence. Our offices and our leaders were attacked; many of our supporters were killed amid silence from army and police.

El-Beltagy continued:

These masses [in Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square] are not seeking a confrontation with the army, but they refuse to see the army siding with one faction of the people against another, re-entering the political arena and being part of this division. We will not seek violence but we will not surrender our right to fight attempts of subverting people’s will.

Egypt Picture: Troops Praying at Sunset

1751 GMT: Injuries and Protests in Nile Delta

At least 10 people have been injured in clashes between supporters and opponents of President Morsi in Al-Shohada Square in the Nile Delta governorate of Kafr El-Sheikh.

The injuries were reportedly caused by bird shot and bladed weapons.

Al Ahram claims “hundreds of thousands” are protesting in Mansoura, chanting, “”The people already brought down the regime.”

1749 GMT: Deputy FJP Chairman: “I Will Remain In Egypt Until I Die”

The deputy chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party, Essam al-Erian, has said he will die in Egypt, after reports that he had been placed under a travel ban and had tried to flee to Jordan — a rumor that a senior security source has denied, according to Egypt Independent.

“I lived in my country, Egypt, learned in its schools, worked in its hospitals, was jailed in its prisons for eight and a half years per Mubarak’s order, five of which were ordered by a military tribunal… I will remain in my country and will die on its soil if that is Allah’s will” Erian wrote on his facebook page.

1742 GMT: Diplomats Strike

Ninety-three Egyptian diplomats — some based in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo and some serving abroad, have declared a strike.

The diplomats object to the “failure of the president to meet the people’s demands.”

1741 GMT: Police, Army Deploy Near Defense Ministry, Presidential Palace

Police and army commando forces have deployed around the Defense Ministry and the Qubba Presidential Palace to secure demonstrators, as scores of protesters flooded to the Defense Ministry and Caliph Mamoun Street, Egypt Independent reports.

Demonstrators chanted slogans supporting Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and condemning President Mohamed Morsi.

1737 GMT: Senior Advisor to Morsi: “Let’s Call This By Real Name: Military Coup”

A senior advisor to President Morsi, Essam al-Haddad, has written on Facebook: I am fully aware that these may be the last lines I get to post on this page.

For the sake of Egypt and for historical accuracy, let’s call what is happening by its real name: Military coup….

The message will resonate throughout the Muslim World loud and clear: democracy is not for Muslims.” Read the full statement here.

1735 GMT: Airport Officials Claim Travel Ban Imposed On Morsi

AP are reporting that airport officials have claimed that a travel ban has been issued against Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohammed Badie. However, this has not been officially confirmed.

1731 GMT — Morsi: “Legitimacy Is The Only Way To Guarantee Stability”

In a statement on Wednesday, Egypt’s Presidency warned that “an alternative scenario” is being imposed on the Egyptian people, that could harm the government’s institution building and that also posed a threat to democracy.

“This is a scenario that the Egyptian people who filled the streets did not agree on…Legitimacy is the only way to guarantee stability and to defy violence, thuggery and law-breaking,” the statement said.
The statement re-affirmed Morsi’s commitment to the road map he announced in a speech on Tuesday night. That plan includes the formation of a coalition government and a committee to amend the constitution.

 1614 GMT Morsi in Office at Republican Guard Headquarters, as Military Deploys Throughout Cairo

A Presidential aide has said Mohamed Morsi is “still in his office at the Republican Guard headquarters”, where a large opposition protest has gathered: “Nothing physical has happened yet. No territory has been invaded.”

The military has deployed throughout Cairo, including at the opposition gatherings in Tahrir Square and the Presidential Palace, the main pro-Morsi rally at Raba’a el Adaweya Mosque, and on Gam3a Bridge in Giza.

The official spokesman of the armed forces, Colonel Ahmed Ali, denied there was any confrontation near the Rabaa Al-Adawiya Mosque in Cairo’s Nasr City district

“Our army is seeking to secure all Egyptians, regardless of their affiliations. We call on local and international media not to spread any inaccurate information that may drive a wedge between the army and the people,” he said on his Facebook page.

Armoured vehicles (not tanks) on Gam3a Bridge:

Earlier there were clashes between Morsi supporters and troops in Nasr City:

 1514 GMT Interior Minister Orders Juice, Water For Tahrir Protesters (Again)

Egypt’s State news agency MENA has reported that the Interior Minister has ordered the distribution of refreshments for demonstrators in Tahrir Square.

 1453 GMT Morsi Refuses To Step Down (Again)

 1452 GMT As World Waits After Deadline Passes, AP Share Photos Of Protests

As the military’s deadline passes and nothing happens — meanwhile, here is some light music from the Associated Press, in the form of a slideshow of photos of the protests.

 1448 GMT Protesters Erect Tents In Front Of Republican Guards HQ, Nasr City

Egypt Independent is reporting that protesters have pitched tents in front of the Republican Guards headquarters in Nasr City.

Protesters said Morsy has lost his legitimacy, despite the president’s spirited claims he would complete his term as Egypt’s elected president.

Many of the protesters held shrouds in front of the house where the president and his family are currently staying.

The protesters raised banners that read: “The army and the people are one hand. The people brought down the regime. Morsy is wanted.”

1439 GMT Morsi Still Insists On Constitutional Legitimacy

 

1435 GMT Islamist Supporters Of Morsi Give Presser: “We Are Legitimacy, We Are Freedom”

The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, the pro-Morsi Islamist group are holding a press conference at Rabaa Al-Adawiya mosque. Ahram Online report that Magdy Hussein, of the Islamic Labor Party said: “The president spoke to the people last night and explained the situation and outlined his road map for resolving the current crisis in Egypt…We are the constitution, we are legitimacy, we are freedom, we are revolution…Thirty years and the army didn’t challenge Mubarak, it didn’t go to war with Israel; but it challenges the legitimacy of the democratic president…. If the army enters politics it’s the end of the constitution.”

1415 GMT Giza Security Head Fired Over Cairo University Clashes

Ahram Online reports:

 

1411 GMT FJP Leader Refuses To Meet Opposition Leader ElBaradei, Tamarod Representatives

Freedom and Justice Party leader Saad El-Katatni, has refused an invitation by Minister of Defense Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s invitation to meet with the leader of the oppostion, Mohamed ElBaradei, and representatives from the anti-Morsi Tamarod movement, according to the Muslim Brotherhood’s satellite channel, Egypt 25.

1404 GMT Video — Tuesday Night’s Fighting

Raw video of Tuesday night’s clashes near Cairo University, in which at least 23 people were killed:

1352 GMT People Flooding Into Tahrir Square Ahead Of Military Deadline

The BBC’s Aleem Maqboul is reporting that people are pouring into Tahrir Square ahead of the expiry of the military’s 48 hour deadline.

 

1350 GMT Military Officers Present In State TV Newsroom

The Associated Press report that military officers are inside the State TV newsroom, ahead of the expiry of the military’s 48 hour deadline.

 

AP report that State TV staffers say the officers of the military information department were checking content but not interfering.

1344 GMT Jama’a Al Islamiya Urges Supporters To Remain Calm

Islamist party Jama’a Al Islamiya called on its supporters on Wednesday afternoon to remain calm and refrain from violence, adding that power transfer should be carried out using constitutional mechanisms.

“It is necessary for sensible politicians to take action to prevent the further deterioration of conditions in Egypt in order to preserve Egypt’s national security,” it added in a statement.

1340 GMT Confusion Continues Over Military Takeover Of State Television

After a flurry of reports that the military or the Republican Guards had taken over State TV, BBC’s Aleem Maqboul asks:

 

1335 GMT Morsi: It Would Be Better To Die Standing Like A Tree

Morsi’s spokesman Ayman Ali said Wednesday afternoon that the President believed it would be better to die “standing like a tree”, defending the legitimacy of his office, than to be remembered for having destroyed Egyptian hopes for democracy. Ali told Reuters that, in his Morsi’s Tuesday night address, he had refused to resign because he wanted to “defend the democratic system”.

1333 GMT 18 Killed In Giza

Egypt’s Health Ministry has said that a total of 18 people have now died in clashes between pro and anti-government supporters in Giza. Earlier on Wednesday, State TV reported the death toll as 16.

1329 GMT Claim — Military Rejected Morsi Concessions

A Muslim Brotherhood source has claimed that the millitary rejected a series of concessions by President Morsi on Tuesday in a four-hour meeting with General Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, the Minister of Defense and head of armed forces. The source told David Hearst of The Guardian that the concessions included: The formation of a national government representing all parties; The formation of a neutral committee to change the constitution; A call on the Constitutional council to speed up the law on Parliamentary elections; A new Attorney General The possibility of a referendum on Morsi’s Presidency.

1324 GMT Tamarod Call On Egyptians To Besiege Morsi

The leader of the Tamarod campaign, Mahmoud Badr, called on Egyptians to take to the streets and besiege the Republican Guards House, where President Mohamed Morsi currently staying. Badr said that the protests are a sort of “order” to the army to go out and protect them, and called on the Republican Guard forces to arrest the President. “What is happening right now is a popular coup against the legitimacy of Morsi. It is not a military coup,” Badr told reporters at a press conference.

Military Denies Meeting Opposition; FJP Says It Will Not Meet Military

A confusing flurry of reports about whom the military is and is not seeking to meet before the deadline for its ultimatum…. Military spokesman have denied earlier claims that the armed forces met Mohamed ElBaradei, representing the opposition National Salvation Front and youth groups. Leading clerics were also claimed to have been in the discussion. Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party is saying that it has refused the military’s invitation to talks. Al Ahram Online report that Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is to meet the general commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces later on Wednesday at the Defense Ministry’s headquarters to discuss recent developments as Wednesday’s 48-hour deadline approaches. According to Al Ahram, Mohamed ElBaradei was also asked to participate in the meeting, as confirmed by Mohamed Abul-Ghar, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, on State television. Representatives of the FJP, opposition Tamarod campaign, the Salafist Nour Party, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II are expected to also attend.

Egypt: Military Take Over State TV Building

The army has taken control of the State TV building in the Maspero district of Cairo, deploying armoured vehicles have and ordering staff to leave. The BBC’s Aleem Maqboul has this to add:

 

 

Turkey: Deputy PM Denies Blaming “Jewish Diaspora” for Protests

Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay has denied media reports that he blamed the Jewish diaspora for nationwide demonstrations, sparked by Government plans to re-develop Istanbul’s Gezi Park. “In his speech, he has never intended, uttered or indicated anything to offend Jewish citizens of Turkey or Jewish communities around the world,” said a statement from Atalay’s office. Cihan News Agency quoted Atalay from a video on 1 July, “There are some circles that are jealous of Turkey’s growth. They are all uniting, on one side the Jewish diaspora.” In the video, Atalay also repeated Government claims that the international media had played a major role in “the conspiracy” and had led the unrest “well”: There are some circles that are jealous of Turkey’s growth. They are all uniting, on one side the Jewish diaspora. You saw the foreign media’s attitude during the Gezi Park incidents; they bought it and started broadcasting immediately, without doing an evaluation of the [situation]. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has put out a statement:

 

Egypt Picture: The Military Prepares

 

Libya: Car Bomb in Benghazi

At least seven people were wounded in the eastern city of Benghazi by a car bomb, at a checkpoint manned by special military forces, late Tuesday. Meanwhile, an armed group attacked the Ministry of Interior building in the capital Tripoli, forcing its closure. The group was calling on the MInister of Interior to resign because of his dependence on the Supreme Security Committee (SSC), a militia which is considered to be better-armed and more powerful than the police. Police guards said the gunmen retreated when members of the SSC arrived to the scene. Last week, SSC members clashed with a rival militia in Tripoli, killing 10 people and injuring more than 100. The Minister of Defense was removed after the incident.

Egypt: Banks Ordered to Shut Early

The Central Bank has told Egyptian banks to close their branches early and has advanced the time for a foreign currency auction, ahead of the Wednesday deadline for the military ultimatum. Banks must close their branches by 2:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) instead of the usual 5:00 p.m, the time set by the military for a political resolution between President Morsi and other factions.

Egypt: Tuesday Death Toll Rises

The total killed in last night’s clashes in Cairo has risen to 28 — five in Giza and 23 at Cairo University — with at least 700 injured:

 

Egypt: Opposition Calls for Demonstration at Presidential Guard HQ

The opposition movement behind this month’s mass protests has called for a rally at the deadline of the military ultimatum for political resolution:

 

Egypt: The Other Side Of Tahrir Square — 91 Sex Attacks On Women Protesters In Four Days

As protests in Egypt show no sign of abating, local NGO Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment/Assault, which runs a hotline for victims of sexual assault, says that over the past three days it has received reports of at least 91 attacks on women in Tahrir Square, including violent rapes and knife attacks. One rape victim required surgery after being assaulted with a sharp object. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), other incidents saw men beat women with metal chains and sticks and attacked with knives. In some cases women endured assaults for up to 45 minutes before they were able to escape. HRW said Wednesday that officials and political leaders across the spectrum should condemn and take immediate steps to address the horrific levels of sexual violence against women in Tahrir Square. “The rampant sexual attacks during the Tahrir Square protests highlight the failure of the government and all political parties to face up to the violence that women in Egypt experience on a daily basis in public spaces,” Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW said.

Egypt: Cabinet’s Twitter Account Hacked

It looks like the Egyptian Cabinet’s Twitter account has been hijacked by opponents this morning:

 

Jordan: More than 250 News Websites Blocked

The Jordanian government has confirmed the blocking of 254 unlicensed news websites, using powers under a 2012 law.

Officials said 16 more sites were blocked in the last 48 hours. They added that 111 sites have renctly obtained licences.

On June 3, authorities said they would block nearly 300 out of 400 local news websites “for failing to obtain the necessary licensing”, under a law to regulate “electronic publications”.

Egypt: More than 20 Killed in Tuesday Clashes

While President Morsi was speaking on Tuesday night, deadly clashes continued in and near Cairo.

At least 21 people were killed and 300 injured as of early Wednesday, with the heaviest fighting in Kit Kat Square in the Imbaba district, in the Bein Al-Sarayat district of Giza, and near Cairo University.

Egypt Photograph: Opposition Rally in Tahrir Square on Tuesday Night

 

Summary

Facing a military ultimatum and mass protests, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi tried to re-take the initiative late Tuesday night in a 45-minute speech on State TV.

Morsi repeatedly staked his claim to power on “legitimacy”:

A country is expecting that I respect this legitimacy and Constitution. I have no choice but to bear this responsibility. I have no other option. I have shouldered the responsibility….I will continue to shoulder the responsibility….

There is no alternative to the legitimacy, legitimacy that came through the ballot box….

The counter-revolution wants to return, and won’t with your efforts. I’m with you. I stand before you, always prepared to protect legitimacy….

Any attempt to shake this legitimacy, this is refused! This is refused! This is refused!

The question today is whether this legitimacy will be recognised. The military’s deadline for politicians to establish a way out of conflict is this afternoon. And while pro-Morsi rallies were held in Cairo on Tuesday, they were dwarfed in size by the opposition gathering in Tahrir Square.

It is in that context that Morsi echoed former Hosni Mubarak’s promise — in the last days of his rule in February 2011 — that he would die on the soil of Egypt: “If the price of preserving legitimacy is my blood, I am prepared to pay it.”