July 5, 2012: In this file image released by the Egyptian President, Egyptian Field Marshal Gen. Hussein Tantawi, left, new President Mohammed Morsi, center, and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sami Anan, right, attend a medal ceremony, at a military base east of Cairo, Egypt. The spokesman for Egypts president says Mohammed Morsi, the countrys Islamist leader, has decided to retire the head of the Armed Forces and minister of Defense and chief of staff. (AP/Egyptian Presidency)
CAIRO – Egypt's president says Syrian leader Bashar Assad must learn from "recent history" and step down before it is too late.
Mohammed Morsi's reference to "recent history" appeared to allude to the fate of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen that have been overthrown by Arab Spring uprisings.
Morsi spoke Wednesday at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo.