Interim Egyptian president gives himself legislative powers

On Monday, Mansour said that Egypt will hold new parliamentary elections once amendments to its suspended constitution are ratified in a referendum, Reuters reported.

The decree said that a constitutional assembly would be formed in two weeks, and a constitutional referendum would be held within four-and-a-half months.

Parliamentary elections would be held within 15 days of the constitution's approval by a referendum. Those elections must be held "over a period of no more than two months."

New presidential elections would be called once the new legislative chamber is in place, the decree said.

Egypt’s constitution was suspended on July 3 when the army removed President Mohamed Morsi from power and picked top judge Mansour to succeed him.

Earlier on Monday, Egypt’s Health Ministry and emergency services said that more than 50 people had been killed during the clashes between the army and Morsi supporters outside the Republican Guard barracks in Cairo.

Medical sources said the death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Since last week, Egypt has been the scene of rival rallies and clashes between thousands of supporters and opponents of the ousted president.

Morsi is reportedly being held “preventively” by the military. Senior army officials say he might face formal charges over accusations made by his opponents.

Several arrest warrants have been issued for the members of Muslim Brotherhood. Egyptian troops and security forces have recently expanded their roundup of top political figures from Muslim Brotherhood that had fielded Morsi for office.