French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Wednesday Paris took note that elections had been announced in Egypt following a transition period after the army ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

"In a situation that has worsened seriously and with extreme tension in Egypt, new elections have finally been announced, after a transition period," Fabius said in a statement. "France takes note of it."

France hoped a timetable would be drawn up respecting "civil peace, pluralism, individual liberties and the achievements of the democratic transition, so that the Egyptian people can freely choose their leaders and their future", he added.

The Egyptian army said Wednesday it was transferring political power to the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, until early presidential elections were held after an unspecified transition period.