Protesters cautious as military rulers dissolve parliament

CAIRO, Egypt (AP):

Egypt's military leaders dissolved parliament - both upper and lower houses - and suspended the constitution yesterday, meeting two key demands of protesters who have been keeping up pressure for immediate steps to transition to democratic, civilian rule after forcing Hosni Mubarak out of power.

The military rulers who took over when Mubarak stepped down Friday and the caretaker government set as a top priority the restoration of security, which collapsed during the 18 days of protests that toppled the regime.

The caretaker government held its first meeting since the president was ousted and before it began, workers removed a giant picture of Mubarak from the room.

The protesters had been pressing the ruling military council, led by Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, to immediately move forward with the transition by appointing a presidential council, dissolving the parliament, and releasing political prisoners.

Thousands have remained in Cairo's central Tahrir Square to demand immediate steps by the council such as the repeal of repressive emergency laws that give police broad power.

The suspension of the constitution effectively puts Egypt under martial law - where the military makes the laws and enforces them in military tribunals.

The ruling council is expected to clarify the issue in upcoming statements and the role of civilian courts remains unclear.

Judge Hisham Bastawisi, a reformist judge, said the latest measures "should open the door for free formation of political parties and open the way for any Egyptian to run for presidential elections" which the constitutional amendments are expected to do.

Uncharted legal ground

Hossam Bahgat, director of the non-governmental Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, said the military's steps were positive, but warned that Egypt was on uncharted legal ground.

"In the absence of a constitution, we have entered a sort of 'twilight zone' in terms of rules, so we are concerned," he said. "We are clearly monitoring the situation and will attempt to influence the transitional phase so as to respect human rights."

The ruling council said it will run the country for six months, or until presidential and parliament elections can be held.

It said it was forming a committee to amend the constitution and set the rules for a popular referendum to endorse the amendments.