Divided Egyptian Reactions Over Reconvening Parliament

A military graduation in Egypt's capital.              

              

Newly-elected President Mohamed Morsi attends the ceremony amid a challenge to the military with his decision to reconvene the country's parliament..              

              

The surprise move reverses a military council order dissolving the lower house after the nation's highest court ruled an elections law unconstitutional.              

              

Some see it as a sign the new president will flout the law to impose his agenda.              

              

[Sylvia, Egyptian Resident]:

"At the very least this is a lack of respect for the decision of the court. And we are supposed to be a nation of laws, and we are supposed to respect the laws of the day."

 

Others praise Mursi for standing up to military rulers in power since the 2011 revolution.

 

[Ahmed Moslem, Egyptian Resident]:         

"We, thirty million Egyptians, elected a People's Assembly, and it will not do for the Military Council and its chosen judges to just, at the stroke of a pen, say that this parliament is dissolved."              

              

By law, Supreme Constitutional Court decisions cannot be challenged.              

              

Morsi's decision is part of what is likely to be a long power struggle in Egypt's fledgling democracy.