Egypt's President Mursi assumes sweeping powers

BBC News online - 2 November 2012

 

 

Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has issued a declaration preventing anyone from challenging his decrees, laws and decisions.

This means that no court can dissolve the constituent assembly, which is drawing up a new constitution.

President Mursi has also sacked his chief prosecutor and ordered the re-trial of officers accused of attacking protesters under Hosni Mubarak.

Mr.  Mahmoud's acquittal of the officers led to violent clashes last month.

President Mursi has appointed Talaat Ibrahim as new chief prosecutor.

The declaration also gives the 100-member constituent assembly two additional months to draft a new constitution, to replace the one suspended after President Mubarak was overthrown.

The constitution re-write, which was meant to be finished by December, has been plagued by dozens of lawsuits questioning the make-up of the constituent assembly.