Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi has issued a declaration giving himself sweeping powers that cannot be challenged by any authority.
The decree, which also dismissed Egypt’s prosecutor general, prompted opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei to accuse Morsi of usurping authority and becoming a “new pharoah”.
“The president can issue any decision or measure to protect the revolution,” according to a decree read out on television by Yasser Ali, presidential spokesman.
Thursday’s development came one month after a deal was struck that saw Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud continue in office after a failed attempt by Morsi to have him replaced.
The agreement, sealed after a meeting between Morsi and Mahmoud, stipulated that the prosecutor general would remain in office until retirement age.
Protesters opposing and supporting Morsi took to the streets of Cairo soon after the decree was announced.
