Reuters is reporting that the Egyptian Army ousted former President Mohammed Morsi in part over his calls for backing the Syrian rebels against dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Morsi also took part in a June 15 rally, where his supporters called for “holy war in Syria” and those fighting to protect Assad were described as “infidels.”
The army was concerned over this. One officer, speaking anonymously, said those speaking at the rally had “crossed a national security red line” by “encouraging Egyptians to fight abroad,” thus “creating a new generation of jihadists.”
Other officers speaking off the record said this language had deep religious connotations, and “Egyptians did not want a religious state.” Although the Muslim Brotherhood never directly said it “was going to set up a theocracy,” the Army feared Morsi was thinking that way.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins
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