Morsi sticks by disputed decree after meeting judges

CAIRO (AFP) - Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi on Monday stuck by a controversial decree granting him sweeping powers, on the eve of planned nationwide rallies to protest the move, in the worst crisis since his election in June.

There is "no change to the constitutional declaration," presidential spokesman Yasser Ali told reporters, after a meeting between Dr Morsi and the country's top judges aimed at defusing the dispute.

During the meeting, the judges expressed concern about Thursday's constitutional declaration which allows Dr Morsi to issue any law or decision unchallenged by the courts, Mr Ali said.

But he added that Dr Morsi sought to clarify that any irrevocable decisions apply only to issues related "to his sovereign powers" and stressed the temporary nature of the decree.