Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi “could accept to delay the referendum” on a draft constitution disputed by the opposition, if there are no legal consequences to such a decision, Vice-President Mahmud Mekki said yesterday.

Morsi would consider postponing the plebiscite on the contested charter if the opposition guaranteed not to challenge the move on the grounds that referendums legally have to be held two weeks after being formally presented to the President, Mekki said.

Morsi on Thursday defiantly addressed the nation by saying he was going ahead with the referendum due on December 15, stating that afterwards “everyone must follow its will.”

But more than 10,000 protesters gathered around his presidential palace late on Friday for another demonstration.

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