Egypt’s new public prosecutor steps down

Egypt’s new public prosecutor, Talaat Ibrahim, who was appointed to the post last month by President Mohamed Morsi, has stepped down, judicial sources say.

Ibrahim tendered his resignation late ON Monday after continuous protests by Egyptian judges and prosecutors about his appointment, Reuters reported.

In November, Morsi sacked Mubarak-era Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, replacing him with Ibrahim.

The appointment was announced after Morsi adopted sweeping new powers in a controversial decree issued on November 22, which made the president’s decisions beyond judicial oversight.

Members of the judiciary believed the president’s sacking of Ibrahim’s predecessor was an attack on their independence.

Ibrahim’s resignation is expected to be presented to the Supreme Judicial Council next Sunday.

Massive demonstrations broke out in Egypt over President Morsi’s decree. The president later rescinded the decree, but his hasty organization of the referendum on the draft constitution sparked more demonstrations.