Beijing: Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court has rejected President Mohammed Mursi’s order to reconvene parliament, saying its verdict is final, definitive and cannot be challenged.
The Supreme Constitutional Court met to discuss the presidential decree. It says its duty is to protect constitutional legitimacy, and will never be a part in any political conflict. Meanwhile, the country’s top generals, who make up the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, also held an "emergency meeting" soon after the president’s decision was announced Sunday.
The decision by Morsi appeared to be a direct challenge to the generals who have ruled the country for 16 months following the ouster of Hosni Mubark.
The military had enforced a court order last month dissolving parliament because party members had contested seats reserved for independents. The military also announced a "constitutional declaration" last month giving itself legislative powers in the absence of parliament and stripping Morsi of much of his presidential authority.