President Mohammed Morsi Ignores Detractors; Stands Firm

After ousting Mubarak from his long-time rule, is another one in the form of President Morsi taking its place? Details after the jump.

Protests have begun in the Tahrir Square over President Mohammed Morsi and his administrations attempt to concentrate his powers in Egypt. Through issuing a statement, the presidenet's administration tried to emphasize the temporary nature of his nearly unchecked authority, and said Morsi's constitutional decree was not meant to optimize his political reach.

Supreme Court judges in Egypt were the first to protest President Morsi's move, which sidelines the judiciary and removes nearly all checks to his power, making the president's decisions and laws immune to challenge until a new constitution is written. It is still unclear how widespread the strike was as it appeared that many courts were still working. Mustapha Kamel Al Sayyid, a political science professor at the American University in Cairo, says that the protests, both on the street and in the courtroom, "Do not appear large enough to dent the president's momentum."

"I think that the fact that the Muslim Brotherhood is planning a big demonstration ... on Tuesday suggests that they are not inclined to accept a compromise," Al Sayyid says. "I think they are planning to send a message that they have more support in the country than the secularists, and they will not change their position."

President Morsi and his administration wants to convince people to accept his exceptional powers because they only last for several months. But, as we all know, there is a lot that can done (both good and bad) in a shorter amount of time.

Will this tense situation spill outside of Egypt and get tangled in the on-going Israel/Palestine beef? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Props: CS Monitor