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Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has said that he ordered the retirement of the powerful head of the country's armed forces, Field Marshal Mohamad Hussein Tantawi, for the 'benefit of the nation'. Morsi has also announced the retirement of Chief of staff Sami Annan. "The decisions I took today were not meant ever to target certain persons, nor did I intend to embarrass institutions, nor was my aim to narrow freedoms," the BBC quoted Morsi, as saying. "I did not mean to send a negative message about anyone, but my aim was the benefit of this nation and its people," he added. Morsi also said a constitutional declaration aimed at curbing presidential powers had been cancelled. According to the report, he also praised the armed forces, saying they would now focus 'on the holy mission of protecting the nation'. Field Marshal Tantawi, 76, has not yet indicated whether he accepts the moves.

Egypt's President Morsi says he ordered army chief Tantawi to retire