Egypt’s Army Grants Itself legislative Powers

Egypt’s ruling junta has issued a new constitutional declaration, reassuming legislative powers after the country’s constitutional court dissolved the elected parliament, a report says.

The Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), which took power after the former dictator Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February 2011, issued the amended constitutional document on Sunday, handing itself sweeping powers as polls closed in a landmark presidential run-off vote, AFP reported. 

The amended version of the constitutional document, which was first issued in March 2011 after the popular revolution, says that no election for a new parliament can be held until a permanent constitution is written. 

With the elected parliament dissolved and martial law effectively in force, the generals have also given themselves veto power over the text of any new constitution. 

Meanwhile, according to reports, the junta is planning to consummate its coup against the revolution by preparing to announce Mubarak’s last Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq as the winner of the presidential run-off. 

The reports said that the SCAF, headed by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, had already made the necessary coordination with the US government to complete its planned coup by placing Shafiq ahead of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi in the presidential race. 

The ruling generals’ recent efforts to remain in power come despite the fact that they had pledged to hand over power to the country’s elected president on July 1. 

On Thursday, Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court announced its decision to dissolve the elected parliament, which was dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood. 

The move triggered massive protests and reactions by the Egyptian people and scholars, who described the drive as a “coup attempt.”, according to Press TV.

The Brotherhood excoriated the decision, demanding a referendum to be held on the issue. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Islamic party said the political gains of the revolution are at risk and “dangerous days” are ahead.