Egypt’s Vice President Mahmoud Mekki resigned from his position on Saturday in a surprise step that coincided with the second phase of voting in the controversial constitutional referendum. Mekki issued a press statement clarifying that that he initially submitted his resignation on November 7 but political conditions surrounding the Israeli attack against the Gaza Strip had prevented the president from accepting it. Mekki stressed that he exerted every effort to act in the nation\'s interests, insisting that he would continue to maintain the values of justice, freedom and neutrality. He stated that he had come to the realization that the nature of political work does not suit his career as a judge. He added that he worked to defend the rights of citizens, and that tried his best to ensure full judicial supervision of the constitutional referendum. Sources suggested that the catalyst that prompted Egypt’s vice-president to resign is the fact that the new constitution would effectively make his position as vice-president void.