BECKHAM
09-07-2013, 11:38 AM
Egypt's interim leader, Adly Mansour, has issued a constitutional declaration giving himself limited power to make laws, and outlined a timetable for parliamentary and presidential elections, according to state media. There was no official word on the decree from the president's office.
If the state media reports are accurate, the 33-article decree would grant Mansour limited legislative powers, but only after consultation with a cabinet, which would wield veto power.
The distinction is important, because deposed President Mohamed Morsy was criticized for expanding the powers of his office.
The decree also would put in motion a time line for voting on an amended constitution and for holding parliamentary and president ballots.
The declaration calls for a constitutional referendum in November, followed by parliamentary elections in December and a presidential poll in February.
Awaiting confirmation
Without confirmation from the president's office, it is impossible to say whether the reports -- carried by state-run Al-Ahram and MENA -- are accurate.
The currents of information in Egypt have been swift and shifting following last week's military coup that ousted Morsy. He is reportedly detained in the Republican Guard headquarters.
Reports over the weekend had diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei in line to become interim prime minister. His political party's claim Saturday was contradicted later in the day by a Mansour spokesman, who said a decision had yet to be made.
On Sunday, Mansour instead nominated ElBaradei as interim vice president.
Balancing act
The moves by the interim president are clearly meant to appeal to supporters of the coup -- but unlikely to appease Morsy's supporters.
Clashes between them and security forces killed 51 people on Monday, and wounded another 435. It was the deadliest day in Cairo since the revolution that forced former President Hosni Mubarak from office in 2011.
The Egyptian government announced on Tuesday that it would investigate.
"The interim President has ordered the formation of an investigative committee to look into the shooting incident at the Republican Guard headquarters," Egyptian state TV reported.
On Tuesday, funerals for many of those killed will be held. There are fears that the funerals could spark renewed violence.
If the state media reports are accurate, the 33-article decree would grant Mansour limited legislative powers, but only after consultation with a cabinet, which would wield veto power.
The distinction is important, because deposed President Mohamed Morsy was criticized for expanding the powers of his office.
The decree also would put in motion a time line for voting on an amended constitution and for holding parliamentary and president ballots.
The declaration calls for a constitutional referendum in November, followed by parliamentary elections in December and a presidential poll in February.
Awaiting confirmation
Without confirmation from the president's office, it is impossible to say whether the reports -- carried by state-run Al-Ahram and MENA -- are accurate.
The currents of information in Egypt have been swift and shifting following last week's military coup that ousted Morsy. He is reportedly detained in the Republican Guard headquarters.
Reports over the weekend had diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei in line to become interim prime minister. His political party's claim Saturday was contradicted later in the day by a Mansour spokesman, who said a decision had yet to be made.
On Sunday, Mansour instead nominated ElBaradei as interim vice president.
Balancing act
The moves by the interim president are clearly meant to appeal to supporters of the coup -- but unlikely to appease Morsy's supporters.
Clashes between them and security forces killed 51 people on Monday, and wounded another 435. It was the deadliest day in Cairo since the revolution that forced former President Hosni Mubarak from office in 2011.
The Egyptian government announced on Tuesday that it would investigate.
"The interim President has ordered the formation of an investigative committee to look into the shooting incident at the Republican Guard headquarters," Egyptian state TV reported.
On Tuesday, funerals for many of those killed will be held. There are fears that the funerals could spark renewed violence.