Egypt's military suspends constitution, installs top judge as temporary president
In an effort to resolve a political crisis, the Egyptian military on Wednesday suspended the country’s constitution, ousted President Mohamed Morsi and put a top judge in his place as the country’s temporary leader.
In a televised speech after a meeting with civilian and religious leaders, the head of Egypt’s armed forces, Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, said the chief judge of the country’s supreme constitutional court “will assume the presidency” on an interim basis, the Washington Post (reg. req.) reports .
Prior to a new presidential election, temporary president Adly Mansour will have the right to declare laws, al-Sissi said. Mansour, who is reportedly in his late 60s, was only recently appointed to the court’s top post. A Daily News Egypt article discussed his appointment in May.
The Associated Press, Fox News and Reuters also have stories.
As the Asia Times reported last month, the Islamist president and the judicial branch have been locked in battle over the extent of the judiciary’s powers. Draft legislation then being debated would have forced many of the country’s judges off the bench by reducing the mandatory retirement age from 70 to 60.
See also:
Asia News: “Cairo, thousands of judges protest against Islamization of society”
Kuwait News Agency: “Egypt judges protest new judicial bill “
Gulf News: “Egypt court reinstates sacked chief prosecutor”
Inter Press Service: “Egypt’s Presidency, Judiciary Brace for Showdown Over Draft Law”
