Mohammed Morsi, in office only a year as the first democratically elected leader of Egypt, was ousted from power by the military Wednesday as a euphoric crowd in Tahrir Square cheered his exit.

The commanding general of the armed forces said on Egyptian television that the constitution was suspended and that the head of the constitutional court would be the acting president. He said new elections would be held, with the timing to be determined later.

Armored vehicles, tanks and troops deployed throughout the Egyptian capital, and the military convened a meeting with political opponents of Morsi and religious leaders.

Morsi was elected a year ago after Egyptians ousted Hosni Mubarak, the autocrat who ruled for almost three decades. Egyptians hoped he would build a more pluralistic and tolerant country.

