The overthrow of Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 was not a military coup d'état, but the removal of an illegitimate government, according to a leading expert on Egyptian affairs.

In an interview with Fox News National Security Analyst KT McFarland, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, the military affairs fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explained why Morsi’s removal was not a coup.

“Morsi was removed, but immediately a transitional government of experts, technocrats [was installed]… it wasn’t [General Abdel Fattah] al-Sisi that filled the vacuum that he created,” said Gorka.

Critics have warned the ousting of Morsi gives the Egyptian military an opportunity to put their preferred presidential candidate in office. Al-Sisi has been mentioned as a contender.

“Whether or not he runs … the key issue here … is that he shouldn’t become president when he’s wearing a [military] uniform,” said Gorka, who has met with General al-Sisi. “If he wants to run, Sisi takes off the uniform and he runs as a civilian… the way you present it is, of course, is very important.”

Gorka, also the author of “Fighting the Ideological War,” believes the White House should closely follow events in Cairo.

“Egypt is essential to securing the national interests of the United States … this is an ally … since the Camp David Accords that has been pivotal to securing the region and to keeping Israel, our ally safe as well,” said Gorka.

Gorka also warned the Muslim Brotherhood will not give up trying to control Egypt. “They want to recapture this country and create a theocracy, a caliphate there.”