Egypt appeals courts launch anti-Mursi strike action

Meanwhile, Egypt's new constitution will be completed on Wednesday, the head of the assembly drafting the document has said.

      Judges in Egypt's appeal courts have called a strike in protest at President Mohammed Mursi's recent decree giving himself new powers.

The decree, issued last Thursday, gave Mr Mursi powers to take any measures to protect the revolution, and stated that no court could overturn his decisions.
The move sparked widespread protests.

The constituent assembly is expected to vote on the draft on Thursday, officials say.

"Tomorrow [Thursday] will be a great day," said the head of the Islamist-dominated assembly, Hossam al-Gheriani.
He urged the non-Islamist parties, the syndicate of journalists and Egyptian churches - who walked out of the assembly last week - to return.
Once adopted by the assembly, the proposed constitution will then be put to a national referendum.
'Protecting the revolution'

22 November declaration

• Re-open investigations into killings of protesters; retrials of those accused
• No appeals against constitutional decrees made since Mursi came to power
• President to appoint the public prosecutor (must be aged at least 40)
• Constituent assembly to get two months extra to draft new constitution
• No judicial authority can dissolve the constituent assembly or the upper house of parliament (Shura Council)
• President authorised to take any measures to preserve the revolution or safeguard national security

The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups have called a rally for Saturday in support of Mr Mursi.

His backers say the decree was needed to protect the gains of the revolution against a judiciary with deep ties to overthrown President Hosni Mubarak.
Appeals courts and the Court of Cassation will halt work until the decree is revoked, the judges say.
On Monday, Mr Mursi sought to defuse the crisis by saying the decree granting him new powers was limited in scope.
He met senior judges and told them that the measure would be restricted to "sovereign matters" designed to protect institutions.
But judges who attended the meeting said they were not satisfied. They want him to withdraw the measure completely.
Protesters who have taken to the streets since the decree was issued last Thursday say Mr Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood has hijacked the revolution.
Anti-Mursi protests were held in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Minya and other Nile Delta cities on Tuesday.
Low-level rallies continued in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday. The Brotherhood has organised counter-demonstrations.
The decree bars judges from dissolving the assembly that is drawing up a new constitution.
The president is also authorised to take any measures to preserve the revolution, national unity or safeguard national security.
Critics say the decree is an attack on the judiciary.
Logan P.