Cairo: A government spokesman says Egypt`s justice minister has submitted his resignation after the President`s supporters engaged in violent street clashes with opponents over calls to "cleanse the judiciary”.
Supporters of President Mohammed Mursi want him to purge the judiciary of former regime supporters. Many opponents of the call view it as an attempt by Islamists to control the judiciary.
Cabinet spokesman Alaa el-Hadidy says Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky submitted his resignation on Sunday. The presidency did not immediately say if the resignation was accepted.
In a copy of his resignation obtained by a news agency, Mekky says Friday`s protests led to the decision. He also mentions a new law being discussed in parliament that could dismiss 3,500 of Egypt`s approximately 13,000 judges and prosecution officials by lowering the retirement age.
PTI
