Egypt's prosecutor general refuses to resign after sacking

Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi has sacked the prosecutor general, a Mubarak-era official, who refused to comply with the orders arguing that a judicial body cannot be dismissed by an executive authority.

In another confrontation with the judiciary, Egyptian President removed Abdel Meguid Mahmoud Mahmoud yesterday to defuse public anger over acquittals in a case of brutality against protesters during last year's uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak's regime.

"I remain in my post," Mahmud told reporters. "According to the law, a judicial body cannot be dismissed by an executive authority."

The main reason for the dismissing Mahmoud was the acquittal of all figures of the former regime accused of masterminding the "Battle of the Camels" against protesters in the iconic Tahrir square on February 1, 2011, during the days of the Egyptian revolution.
Mahmoud claimed late on Thursday that despite being fired, he would not leave his post.

Citing the Law on Judicial Authority in his defence, Mahmoud issued the statement in response to Mursi's announcement of his removal from office and appointment as the ambassador to the Vatican instead.