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Egypt Military Says Constitution Must Be Respected


Supporters of Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi hold up his poster as they celebrate while riding a motorbike on Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 9.
Supporters of Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi hold up his poster as they celebrate while riding a motorbike on Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 9.
Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has underlined in a statement the "importance of the constitution in light of the latest developments."

Earlier the same day, Egypt's Supreme Court has upheld its decision to disband parliament.

The ruling on July 9 appears set to ensure a clash between new Islamist President Muhammad Morsi, who ordered the parliament back to work on July 8 despite the court ruling, and Egypt's powerful military, which backs the court.

Earlier on July 9, parliament speaker Saad el-Katatni summoned lawmakers for a session the following day in response to Morsi's decree.

Morsi said the parliament should continue working until new elections can be held, within 60 days of the adoption of a new constitution.

The Supreme Court ruled last month that the parliament was invalid because Egypt's electoral law was unconstitutional.

That ruling was backed by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has issued a decree reserving all legislative power for itself.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and dpa

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