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Morsi's decree cancelled, constitution vote to go forward | |||||
2012-12-09 | |||||
Egypt President Mohamed Morsi called off late on Saturday the controversial constitutional declaration that prompted violence and political turmoil the past few days. Islamic scholar Mohamed Selim El-Awa, who was among more than 40 national figures attending a lengthy meeting that Morsi called for in a bid to ease growing tensions between the president and opposition, revealed that a new constitutional declaration will replace the 22 November decree. The announcement, however, heeds only one of the two key demands of the anti-Morsi protesters. El-Awa said the referendum on the new draft constitution, slated for 15 December, will go ahead as scheduled, defying the demonstrators who believe the proposed national chart does not fulfill the aspirations of Egyptians.
It remains to be seen whether new constitutional declaration will be sufficient to appease the anti-Morsi protesters, many of whom have camped put in front of the presidential palace since last Tuesday. "The president does not have the authority to postpone the referendum in order not to violate the March 2011 constitutional declaration," El-Awa added.
Egypt has been craving for stability and economic recovery since the 2011 revolution, which instigated the ouster of former president Mubarak.
The National Salvation Front, which was set up by ElBaradei and ex-presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabbahi and Amr Moussa to oppose Morsi's recent decisions, insisted that the president revoke the decree before a dialogue is held. However, Morsi wanted to meet opposition "without any preconditions." | |||||
Posted by:Steve White |