The takeover comes in the wake of mass protests and government crackdowns that have results in the deaths of thousandsA deadline set by the military for Egyptian President Morsi to adequately respond to the requests of protests has passed, and tanks have entered the capital to take control.
USA Today reports: "The state news agency reported late Wednesday that the army plan, to be announced shortly, would include a brief short period of interim rule to be followed by presidential and parliamentary elections."
Reuters reports that the passing of the deadline, with the implication that President Morsi would be removed by the military, was met with celebrations in the capital: "As the ultimatum expired, hundreds of thousands of anti-Mursi protesters in Tahrir Square in central Cairo let off fireworks, cheered and waved Egyptian flags in celebration. There was no immediate comment from the armed forces, and Egyptian blogger Su Zee tweeted: "And in typical Egyptian fashion, #egypt is late for its own coup.""
"It's not all celebration in Cairo," according to CNN. "Pro-Morsy demonstrators in Cairo are furious, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports from a location their rally. Thousands at the pro-Morsy rally chanted "down with military rule" and "invalid" upon listening to the military announcement of Morsy's ouster."
Mohamed Morsi was elected president of Egypt in a 2011 after the previous president, Hosni Mubarak, resigned amidst mass protests earlier that year.
