Egypt has replaced its military chief amid efforts to modernize the armed forces. Egyptian sources said President Hosni Mubarak has appointed a successor to incumbent Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hamid Wahba. They said Wahba would be replaced by Lt. Gen. Sami Anan, commander of the Egyptian Air Defense Command. "The changes are not unusual," an Egyptian source said. "Mubarak has periodically reshuffled his military and security command to mark the onset of a political era."The sources said Mubarak was expected to replace other senior commanders over the next few months. Wahba, a former air force commander, was said to have been a leading confidant of Mubarak, and at one point was believed to have been considered for the post of vice president.