Morsi acts as ‘new pharaoh’

Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi assumed sweeping powers yesterday, drawing criticism he was trying to be a “new pharoah” and raising questions about the gains of last year’s uprising to oust Hosni Mubarak.

The move is a blow to the pro-democracy movement that toppled the long-time president, himself derided by many as a pharaoh, and raises concerns that Islamists will be further ensconced in power.

And while there were demonstrations in the capital supporting Morsi, other people turned out to denounce what one feared was the advent of another dictator.

“The president can issue any decision or measure to protect the revolution,” according to a decree read out on television by presidential spokesman Yasser Ali.

“The constitutional declarations, decisions and laws issued by the president are final and not subject to appeal.”

Nobel laureate and former UN atomic energy agency chief Mohamed El Baradei lashed out at the declaration, which would effectively put the president above judicial oversight.

“Morsi today usurped all state powers and appointed himself Egypt’s new pharaoh. A major blow to the revolution that could have dire consequences,” El Baradei wrote on his Twitter account.