Egyptian parliament reconvenes, defying court and military warnings

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Source: LAT

CAIRO -- Egypt’s dissolved parliament defied a court order and reconvened Tuesday, escalating the power struggle between the newly elected Islamist president and the military over the political future of a nation still tangled in the legacy of toppled leader Hosni Mubarak.

The Islamist-dominated parliament’s brief session was a symbolic victory for President Mohamed Morsi, who ordered its reinstatement following a high court ruling that disbanded the chamber over electoral problems. The legitimacy of parliament is in question but its return fits Morsi’s strategy to regain presidential powers the military has stripped from him.

Parliament speaker Saad Katatni was careful not to incite the generals or the Supreme Constitutional Court. He offered a compromise: Parliament may consider dissolving one-third of its seats and holding new elections for them. When the court disbanded the legislature last month it said 30% of the seats, which were designated for independent candidates, were improperly elected.

“The parliament knows its rights and will not interfere with the law,” said Katatni, who adjourned the meeting within minutes. “We are meeting today in accordance with the court’s decision in order to seek ways to implement the ruling.”

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/07/egyptian-parliament-reconvenes.html

[David__77]

1. The so-called liberals side with the Mubarak judges against the vote of the people.

And that's all good and fine, but no one should have pretensions that supporting dissolution of the parliament is somehow about being pro-"democracy." It's about a distinct political minority wanting to preserve its power.