Morsi recalls disbanded parliament

Egypt’s Islamist-led parliament reconvened yesterday after being summoned by new president Mohammed Morsi in an open challenge to the generals who dissolved it last month.

The assembly, dominated by Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood and allies, was dismissed by the army in line with a court ruling issued days before his election. He took office on 30 June, the first civilian leader after six decades of military men in power, and recalled the parliament in a decree on Sunday.

“I invited you to convene in accordance with the decree issued by the president,” said parliament speaker Saad al-Katatni who, like Mr Morsi, is an Islamist. “I would like to confirm that the presidential decree does not violate the court order.”

The dispute is part of a power struggle which could take years to play out. It pits the Brotherhood, which was repressed by former president Hosni Mubarak and his military predecessors, against the generals seeking to keep their privileges and status, alongside a wider establishment still filled with Mubarak-era officials.

Liberal groups boycotted yesterday’s session, saying Mr Morsi’s decree defied the courts. A parliamentary official said attendance was about 70 per cent of the 508-seat lower house.

The liberal Free Egyptians party called Mr Morsi’s move “a blatant violation of the principle of separation of powers” and an attack on the judiciary.