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| Egypt: Army warns it will not allow 'dark tunnel' | |
| 2012-12-08 | |
| The Mamluks to the rescue. The army in Egypt has called for dialogue to resolve a crisis over President Mohammed Morsi's new powers, warning it will intervene to stop Egypt going into "a dark tunnel". In its first statement since protests erupted, it vowed to protect public institutions and innocent people.
The opposition has rejected his call for talks, unless he gives up powers and halts a constitutional referendum. Critics say the draft was rushed through the constituent assembly - a body dominated by Islamists who support Mr Morsi - without proper consultation and does not do enough to protect political and religious freedoms and the rights of women. Vice-President Mahmud Mekki has indicated that Mr Morsi could delay the 15 December plebiscite if the opposition agreed not to challenge the move on those grounds later, AFP news agency reports. Under Egyptian law, referendums must be held two weeks after being formally presented to the president. | |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 "stripped the judiciary of any right to challenge his decisions" You can be sure Bambi is paying close attention. >:-( |
| Posted by: Barbara 2012-12-08 22:29 |
| #1 Update Egypt crisis: President Morsi annuls decree Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has annulled a decree he issued last month that hugely expanded his powers and sparked angry protests, officials say. However, a news conference in Cairo was told that a controversial referendum on a draft constitution would still go ahead as planned on 15 December. Mr Morsi's critics have accused him of acting like a dictator, but he says he is safeguarding the revolution. He said the extra powers were needed to force through reforms. Mr Morsi's decree of 22 November stripped the judiciary of any right to challenge his decisions and triggered violent protests on the streets of Cairo. |
| Posted by: tipper 2012-12-08 21:41 |