By James Reynolds
BBC News, Istanbul

There are certain customs, established over many decades, to uphold when declaring a coup.

A rough-hewn general in a crisp uniform reads out a statement on state TV in which he declares that, reluctantly, the armed forces have decided to step in to save the country.

Gen al-Sisi’s declaration on 3 July in Cairo followed a script, and a look, which goes back at least four decades. First of of all, the general has to get his image right. He needs a well pressed uniform, decked with medals. He needs a podium, or, at the very least, a solid table.

Sunglasses are optional. The general’s look as he reads his declaration may become the defining image of his country to the outside world (it will certainly be the image for which he is most remembered by his own people).

The coup statement must follow a certain format. The general should stress that the military is responding to its patriotic duty. Above all, the coup leader must avoid calling his actions a coup – a word which may make him look like a gangster. More often, he will prefer to used the word “intervention”.