5 dead, 10 injured in clashes between security forces, Morsi supporters

At least five people have been killed in clashes between Egyptian security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, a security official has said.

On Wednesday, four Morsi supporters died in the western city of Marsa Matruh when a group of armed supporters raided the city’s security headquarters, AFP reported.

Ten people were also injured in the incident.

Another Morsi supporter was killed in clashes in the coastal city of Alexandria.

Clashes between security forces and Morsi supporters have also been reported in the central province of Asiut and the Nile Delta province of Gharbiya.

Earlier in the day, Egypt’s army chief ousted President Morsi and dissolved the country’s constitution in a move at resolving the country’s debilitating political crisis.

General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that new parliamentary elections will be held and declared head of Supreme Constitutional Court Adli Mansour as the caretaker leader.

The army announced the roadmap hours after its two-day ultimatum to Morsi came to an end.

Sisi also said that the army was fulfilling its “historic responsibility” to protect the country, and Morsi had “failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people.”

In a statement posted on the presidential Facebook, Morsi denounced the army’s move as a “military coup,” asking the Egyptians to “abide by the constitution and the law and not to respond to this coup.”

Egyptian security forces detained two senior leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood close to Morsi. Rashad Bayoumi, the group’s deputy leader and Saad al-Katatni, who heads the Brotherhood’s political arm, were arrested just hours after Morsi’s ouster.

The state media also reported that arrest warrants were issued for a total of 300 Brotherhood officials.

US President Barack Obama expressed deep concern over the Egyptian army’s removal of President Morsi and urged a quick return to a civilian government.

“I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible,” Obama said in a statement.

The statement also said that Obama ordered a review of the implications for the $1.3 billion in annual US military aid to Egypt as well as millions more in economic assistance in light of the army’s move against Morsi.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also called for a swift return to democracy in Egypt.

“I am following closely developments in Egypt and am fully aware of the deep divisions in society, popular demands for political change and efforts at brokering a compromise,” Ashton said in a statement.

“I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process, including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the approval of a constitution,” she added.

Saudi King Abdullah, however, congratulated Egypt’s interim leader, saying his appointment comes at a “critical” time in the history of the North African country.

“On behalf of the people of Saudi Arabia I congratulate you for taking over the leadership of Egypt at this critical time in its history,” Abdullah said in the first message of congratulations by an Arab leader to Mansour.

Following Morsi’s overthrow, prominent opposition leader Amr Moussa said talks for a new Egyptian government had started.

“Consultations will start from now, for a government and reconciliation,” said the former Arab League chief.

“This is the end of Morsi’s regime. It’s over,” he added.