Egyptian Prez: Parliament, Get Back to Work

Mohamed Morsi defies military but also orders early elections
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 8, 2012 2:34 PM CDT
Egyptian Prez: Parliament, Get Back to Work
New Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi pins a medal on a military solider during a medal ceremony, at a military base east of Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, July 5, 2012.   (AP Photo/Mohammed Abd El Moaty, Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt's newly minted president today told parliament to get back to work—but warned that their power won't last, Reuters reports. President Mohamed Morsi's move flies in the face of military generals who disbanded the legislature after a court ruling last month. But Morsi also called for early elections once a new constitution is created—a possible compromise with those who argue that parliament performed too poorly to deserve its four-year term.

Morsi also received an invitation from President Obama to visit Washington in September. The offer signals an expansion of Washington's newfound openness to members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group that backed Morsi, notes Reuters. US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said Washington will support Egypt's struggling economy but wants Morsi to play nice with Israel. "We certainly attach great importance to Egypt's continuing role as a force for peace," said Burns. (More Egypt stories.)

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