(VOV) – No amendment will be made to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's new constitutional declaration, which may have been "misunderstood" by the public, Presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said on Monday following a meeting between the President and judges to discuss the controversial decree. In his statement, Ali stressed the president's respect for Egypt's judicial institutions and judicial independence, adding that Morsi was keen to avoid clashing with the judiciary. Regarding an article calling for a retrial of police and Mubarak officials accused of killing protesters, Ali clarified that the article would only apply when new evidence emerges.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi (Photo AP)

Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) will weigh twelve lawsuits against President Morsi's recent constitutional declaration on December 4^th. Appeals have argued that presidential decisions are "administrative" rather than "constitutional" and thus must be overseen by the judiciary. According to further argument, the president, as head of the executive authority, cannot issue any constitutional announcement without putting it to a nationwide referendum.  

Pham Huan, VOV correspondent in Egypt