This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20523220
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Egypt appeals courts launch anti-Mursi strike action | Egypt appeals courts launch anti-Mursi strike action |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Judges in Egypt's appeal courts have called a strike in protest at President Mohammed Mursi's recent decree giving himself new powers. | Judges in Egypt's appeal courts have called a strike in protest at President Mohammed Mursi's recent decree giving himself new powers. |
The decree, issued last Thursday, gave Mr Mursi powers to take any measures to protect the revolution, and stated that no court could overturn his decisions. | The decree, issued last Thursday, gave Mr Mursi powers to take any measures to protect the revolution, and stated that no court could overturn his decisions. |
The move sparked widespread protests. | The move sparked widespread protests. |
Meanwhile, the assembly drafting a new Egyptian constitution is expected to vote on a draft on Thursday, officials have said. | |
"Tomorrow [Thursday] will be a great day," said the head of the Islamist-dominated assembly, Hossam al-Gheriani. | "Tomorrow [Thursday] will be a great day," said the head of the Islamist-dominated assembly, Hossam al-Gheriani. |
He urged the non-Islamist parties, the syndicate of journalists and Egyptian churches - who walked out of the assembly last week - to return. | He urged the non-Islamist parties, the syndicate of journalists and Egyptian churches - who walked out of the assembly last week - to return. |
Once adopted by the assembly, the proposed constitution will then be put to a national referendum. | Once adopted by the assembly, the proposed constitution will then be put to a national referendum. |
'Protecting the revolution' | 'Protecting the revolution' |
The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups have called a rally for Saturday in support of Mr Mursi. | The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups have called a rally for Saturday in support of Mr Mursi. |
His backers say the decree was needed to protect the gains of the revolution against a judiciary with deep ties to overthrown President Hosni Mubarak. | His backers say the decree was needed to protect the gains of the revolution against a judiciary with deep ties to overthrown President Hosni Mubarak. |
Appeals courts and the Court of Cassation will halt work until the decree is revoked, the judges say. | Appeals courts and the Court of Cassation will halt work until the decree is revoked, the judges say. |
On Monday, Mr Mursi sought to defuse the crisis by saying the decree granting him new powers was limited in scope. | On Monday, Mr Mursi sought to defuse the crisis by saying the decree granting him new powers was limited in scope. |
He met senior judges and told them that the measure would be restricted to "sovereign matters" designed to protect institutions. | He met senior judges and told them that the measure would be restricted to "sovereign matters" designed to protect institutions. |
But judges who attended the meeting said they were not satisfied. They want him to withdraw the measure completely. | But judges who attended the meeting said they were not satisfied. They want him to withdraw the measure completely. |
Protesters who have taken to the streets since the decree was issued last Thursday say Mr Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood has hijacked the revolution. | Protesters who have taken to the streets since the decree was issued last Thursday say Mr Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood has hijacked the revolution. |
The Constitutional Court - which is not taking part in the strike - has accused Mr Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood of seeking revenge for an earlier decision in which the court dissolved parliament. | |
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Cairo, says the aim of Thursday's vote on the draft constitution could be to pre-empt a Constitutional Court ruling on Sunday which may once again dissolve the assembly. | |
Publishing a constitution in these circumstances would be a deeply inflammatory move, our correspondent says. | |
Many Egyptians are suspicious that the assembly, dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists, wants to impose a constitution that increases the role of Islam in Egypt's government and public life. | |
Anti-Mursi protests were held in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Minya and other Nile Delta cities on Tuesday. | Anti-Mursi protests were held in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Minya and other Nile Delta cities on Tuesday. |
Low-level rallies continued in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday. The Brotherhood has organised counter-demonstrations, including one in Egypt's second city, Alexandria, which attracted several thousand participants. | |
The decree bars judges from dissolving the assembly that is drawing up a new constitution. | The decree bars judges from dissolving the assembly that is drawing up a new constitution. |
The president is also authorised to take any measures to preserve the revolution, national unity or safeguard national security. | The president is also authorised to take any measures to preserve the revolution, national unity or safeguard national security. |
Critics say the decree is an attack on the judiciary. | Critics say the decree is an attack on the judiciary. |