Egypt's Mursi annuls controversial decree expanding his powers
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Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi is seen during a photo opportunity in his office at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Dec 8, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
CAIRO (AFP) - Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Saturday annulled a decree he issued last month expanding his powers, an official told a Cairo news conference.
“The constitutional decree is annulled from this moment,” said Selim al-Awa, an Islamist politician acting as spokesman of a meeting Dr Mursi held earlier with other political leaders.
A referendum on a draft constitution would however still go ahead as planned on Dec 15, Awa said, explaining that constitutionally Dr Mursi was unable to change the date.
The two issues – the decree and the referendum – were at the heart of anti-Mursi protests that have rocked Egypt in the past two weeks.
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