Egypt leader Mursi orders army chief Tantawi to resign

Confrontation looms between Morsy and the army
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsy has ordered the retirement of the powerful head of the country's armed forces, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, a presidential spokesman has said.

He also said a constitutional declaration aimed at curbing presidential powers had been cancelled.

President Morsy, who was elected in June, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Relations between the Brotherhood and the military have been tense since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak.

It is not clear whether the president has the power to sack the head of the armed forces, or whether Field Marshal Tantawi will accept the moves.

Under an interim constitutional declaration issued before Morsy was sworn in, the president cannot rule on matters related to the military - including appointing its leaders.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), which issued the declaration, also dissolved the Egyptian Parliament, which is dominated by the president's Islamist allies.

As head of the Scaf, Field Marshal Tantawi became Egypt's interim ruler after the fall of President Mubarak in February last year.

Sunday's presidential announcement also said armed forces chief of staff Sami Annan was retiring.