Egypt parliament dissolution is binding, court rules

Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi’s order to reconvene parliament has been rejected by the country’s highest court, which says its ruling dissolving the assembly is binding.

Following President Mursi’s decree, the speaker of the dissolved house had called for MPs to meet on Tuesday. Army units outside parliament were withdrawn, allowing MPs to enter.

Mr Mursi, whose Muslim Brotherhood won most seats, says the chamber should function until a new election is held. But Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, meeting on Monday, said that all its rulings and decisions were “final and not subject to appeal”.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) – whose original decision to dissolve parliament was backed by the court – met in an emergency session shortly after the presidential decree was issued on Sunday. The new president’s order was widely seen as a challenge to the judiciary as well as the military.

Parliament speaker Saad al-Katatni said MPs should return for a session of parliament on Tuesday afternoon, the Mena news agency said.