Egyptian Lawmakers Meet in Defiance of Military

Posted July 10th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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Egypt's Islamist-led parliament reconvened Tuesday in defiance of orders by the country's military and Supreme Court.

The brief meeting of the lower house came days after President Mohamed Morsi issued a decree reinstating the body until a new legislature is elected.

Egypt's supreme military council dissolved the parliament last month after the Supreme Constitutional Court found fault with the process by which lawmakers were elected. The court said Monday its decision was final and binding.

The speaker of the lower house said lawmakers were meeting to find a way to implement the court ruling.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Egyptian officials to work together to avoid derailing the country's transition.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle held talks with Mr. Morsi in Cairo. Afterward, he said he feels confident the country can resolve its political struggle.

“[As far as] what the discussion about the parliament's dissolution was about, I had the impression that a solution could be found.”

The German is the first Western minister to visit Cairo since the presidential election last month.