Egypt's armed forces overthrew Islamist President Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday , sparking wild rejoicing in the streets at the prospect of new elections as a range of political leaders backed a new political transition.

Morsi ( left ) was sequestered in a Republican Guard barracks after denouncing a "military coup" that stripped him of power after just a year. As tanks and troops secured the area, tens of thousands of supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood rallied nearby to protest against his removal.