CAIRO­ — Despite Mohammed Morsi’s finger-wagging threats to defend his presidency with his blood, Defense Minister Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi announced Wednesday [July 3] that he had toppled the country’s first freely elected president. The declaration, made as tanks rolled on the streets of Egypt, was met by roaring cheers of millions holding massive nationwide protests.

Opposition representative Mohamed ElBaradei, Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Coptic Pope Tawadros II of the Egyptian Orthodox Church and heads of military divisions surrounded Sisi as his words echoed to millions across the country.

“The military was incapable of deafening its ears and turning a blind eye on the masses calling for the military’s national role, not a political role, as the armed forces continues to confirm that it will remain distant from any political activities,” the military chief said.

“The military sensed that the people are calling for its endorsement, not to rule, but to attend to the public service and the needed protection of the revolution’s demands. This was the message received by the military from Egyptian cities and villages, a call it answered and valued its urgency.”