Egypt's Military Grants Itself Sweeping Powers

Egypt's ruling military has issued a declaration granting itself sweeping powers, as the country awaits results of presidential elections. The document by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (Scaf) says new general elections can not be held until a permanent constitution is drawn up. It also gives the Scaf legislative control. Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood says its candidate, Mohammed Mursi, has won Sunday's presidential election. Mr Mursi, an Islamist, is competing against Ahmed Shafiq, who served as prime minister under former President Hosni Mubarak. Mr Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood said he was holding a 52%-48% lead over Mr Shafiq with almost all the vote counted after Sunday's second-round run-off election. Speaking at his party headquarters, Mr Mursi pledged to be a president for all Egyptians, adding that he would not "seek revenge or settle scores". "Thanks be to God who has guided Egypt's people to the path of freedom and democracy, uniting the Egyptians to a better future," he said. But Mr Shafiq's campaign said it rejected "completely" the victory claim by Mr Mursi. "We are astonished by this bizarre behaviour which amounts to a hijacking of the election results," Shafiq campaign official Mahmud Barakeh was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. Official results have yet to be announced. The election - the first since Hosni Mubarak was forced from office in 2011 - also comes amid a bitter row over the dissolution of parliament following a court ruling on Thursday. The Brotherhood has denounced the step as unlawful and a coup against democracy. 'Grave setback' The Scaf issued its declaration late on Sunday - just hours after the polls closed. The document effectively gives the Scaf control over the budget and who writes the permanent constitution following mass street protest that toppled Mr Mubarak, reports say. It also strips the president of any authority over the army. The full details of the declaration are expected to be announced later on Monday. However, prominent political leader Mohammed ElBaradei already described the document as a "grave setback for democracy and revolution". The Brotherhood earlier urged Egyptians to protect their revolution after the Scaf declared the parliament null and void on Saturday. Two days earlier, the Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that last year's legislative polls were unconstitutional because party members were allowed to contest seats in the lower house reserved for independents. The decision was made by judges appointed under Mr Mubarak. The dispute has laid bare the fears of some that the military council is trying to consolidate power and resist the democratic changes demanded during last year's demonstrations. Soldiers have already been stationed around the parliament with orders not to let MPs enter. Pro-revolutionary groups meanwhile say they will stage a protest in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday night to keep up the pressure for reforms.