Egypt's justice minister resignsApril 21, 2013 - 20:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Egypt's justice minister has resigned, following demands from Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Mursi for the "cleansing" of the judiciary, BBC News reported. Ahmed Mekky was seen as a supporter of judicial independence during former President Hosni Mubarak's rule. He threatened to quit last year after the president adopted broader powers. Thousands of pro-Mursi supporters demonstrated on Friday, April 19 calling for those linked to the former regime to be removed from judicial posts. The protests turned violent as the demonstrators clashed with opponents. In his resignation letter, Mekky stated that the rallies earlier this week had led to his decision. The presidency has so far not commented on the announcement. Mekky was also said to have voiced his concern about attempts to pass a new bill which critics argue would give the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated government greater control over the judiciary. The bill envisages the lowering of the retirement age of judges - a measure that would mean the forced retirement of some 3,000 judges. The offer of resignation comes a day after President Mursi announced his plans to reshuffle the cabinet. Mursi has faced a range of problems since he took office in June 2012 after Egypt's first post-Mubarak presidential election. As well as a simmering feud with the judiciary, pro-reform protests in Cairo have continued, with deaths during anti-Mursi protests marking two years since the fall of Mubarak. The president has also been accused of failing to hold officials accountable for alleged crimes carried out during the Mubarak years. There was a wave of unrest in January after the imposition of death sentences on 21 people over football violence. Political progress has been slow in Egypt, with parliamentary elections scheduled for this spring now postponed with no new date set. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |