Morsi promises decree is temporary to complete constitution

Mohammed Morsi Mohammed Morsi will meet with the Supreme Council of Judiciary on Monday to discuss the ramifications of the constitutional declaration he issued last week, which sparked rage among Egypt's judges and political parties, said Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki.
Mekki has started mediation efforts to try to end the crisis between Morsi and judicial authorities, state TV reported on Sunday.
It was the first public sign of a government attempt to resolve a crisis ignited by Morsi's declaration, according to which his powers are protected and his decisions cannot be contested in court if found illegal or unconstitutional.
Mekki, who has said he has "some reservations" over Morsi's decree, convened a meeting at the Supreme Constitutional Court headquarters in Cairo without giving further details.
The office of the president released a statement to the media Sunday assuring that the constitutional declaration issued by President Morsi last week is only "a temporary measure", necessary to follow up on corruption crimes and protect elected bodies.
The statement said there is a need to hold accountable those responsible of corruption under the former regime and during the transitional period, as well as to attain the rights of the revolution's martyrs, which can only be accomplished by the declaration.
"The presidency reiterates the temporary nature of the said measures, which are not meant to concentrate powers, but on the contrary to devolve it to democratically elected parliament and to avoid any attempt to undermine or abort two democratically elected bodies (the upper house of parliament and the Constituent Assembly), as well as preserving the impartiality of the judiciary and to void politicising it," the statement read.
The statement also sought to assure the country's political forces will all be included in a national dialogue to reach consensus over the constitution.
Meanwhile, President Morsi has been holding meetings with advisors and aides to discuss the current crisis that followed the new constitutional declaration.
Meanwhile, the Court of Cassation announced it will hold an emergency session of its general assembly on Wednesday to consider suspending its work in protest of the new constitutional declaration.
Constituent Assembly Chairman Hossam el-Gheriani, under fire from liberal politicians, said he endorsed Morsi's constitutional decree because "it would give the assembly more time to finish its daunting task of writing the country's new constitution."
"The new constitutional declaration would give us sufficient time to finish the constitution," Gheriani said during an assembly session on Sunday.
"I'm calling on the members who withdrew to return back to the assembly and take part in the honourable process of writing the constitution."
"Time is not in our favour, we should not prolong the process," he added.
The declaration issued by Morsi blocks the judiciary -- or any other body -- from challenging Morsi's decisions legally. The decree also guarantees the Shura Council (the upper house of parliament) and the controversial Islamist-led Constituent Assembly against dissolution by court order.
The declaration also gave the assembly, which is plagued by walkouts from liberal members and Christian delegates among others, two more months to complete its work. It was initially due to complete the Constitution’s draft early next month.