Egyptian Army Ousts President Morsi From Power

Fireworks fill the Cairo city skyline as protesters celebrate the fall of Mohamed Morsi and the declaration of fresh elections.

The Egyptian army has announced fresh presidential and parliamentary elections after ousting elected Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi from power.

In a televised address to the divided nation, commander of the armed forces, General Abdul Fatah Khalil al Sisi, said Mr Morsi had "failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people" and would be replaced.

Flanked by military officials, Muslim and Christian clerics and political figures, he unveiled details of a new political road map which had been agreed with them.

As the military coup got under way with the deployment of tanks and troops including commandos across the capital Cairo, he declared a review and temporary suspension of the Egyptian constitution, and the appointment of the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state.

Protesters, who are against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, react in Tahrir Square in Cairo

Anti-Morsi protesters react to the army statement

The military chief also announced a national reconciliation committee that would include youth movements - and warned the armed forces and police would deal "decisively" with any violence.

It followed the end of crisis talks after an army deadline for Mr Morsi to yield to mass nationwide demonstrations expired.

Fireworks burst over Cairo's Tahrir's Square where tens of thousands of anti-Morsi protesters erupted into cheers at the news.

"The people and the army are one hand," they shouted, amid the roar of horns and chanting.

Sky's foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall, reporting from the scene, said it was going to be "a difficult night" in the Egyptian capital.

"If elections are held in a few weeks, perhaps those who are so against coup d'etat and its anti-democratic sentiments can see it as part of a transitional period.

"These people will come back onto the streets in a few months time if the army tries to hang on to power, but I think the army knows that and so the elections will come within months, perhaps weeks."

Mr Morsi, who was said to have been moved to an undisclosed location, was told he was no longer in charge of the country at around 7pm (6pm UK time).

In a statement on his Facebook page, he was quoted as rejecting the army's announcement as a "military coup"

Sky News