Egypt's newly sworn in prosecutor general submits resignation in wake of judicial firestorm

Egyptian boys sit by a fire near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. Egypt's political crisis shows no signs of abating as the opposition to the country's Islamist government levels new challenges against the legitimacy of a referendum on a draft constitution. Morsi also confronts criticism from the judiciary, as prosecutors hold a sit-in to demand removal of a new prosecutor general he appointed. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

prev next

A protester chains his hands during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. Egypt's political crisis shows no signs of abating as the opposition to the country's Islamist government levels new challenges against the legitimacy of a referendum on a draft constitution. Morsi also confronts criticism from the judiciary, as prosecutors hold a sit-in to demand removal of a new prosecutor general he appointed. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (The Associated Press)

Egyptian men walk past a banner during a protest, unseen, in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. Egypt's political crisis shows no signs of abating as the opposition to the country's Islamist government levels new challenges against the legitimacy of a referendum on a draft constitution. Morsi also confronts criticism from the judiciary, as prosecutors hold a sit-in to demand removal of a new prosecutor general he appointed. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (The Associated Press)

CAIRO – Egypt's prosecutor general has submitted his resignation, less than a month after he was swiftly sworn in by the president.

If his resignation is accepted, it will be a blow to Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, who has been engaged in a power struggle with the judiciary since late last month.

It's part of the political turmoil that has been sweeping Egypt.

Egypt's official MENA news agency carried excerpts of the resignation letter submitted by Talaat Abdullah on Monday.

Hundreds of public prosecutors staged a sit-in outside Abdullah's office in Cairo Monday, demanding he resign. They said that the president's appointment of Abdullah was improper. They said the Supreme Judicial Council should have been the one to nominate him, in order to ensure a separation of powers.