Egyptian Army Dissolves Parliament, Assumes Full Legislative Control

[Correction]

News has been breaking over the last few hours, trying to put it all in one place.

The general background is that the runoff election between Mohamed Morsi and Ahmed Shafik was just about to start (June 16/17) and that's when the chaos begins. Clearly the Egyptian military is happy with neither candidate and does not trust the Islamist-dominated parliament it just dissolved.

CNN Coverage:
Some cry 'coup' as Egypt's highest court annuls parliament, military extends power

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, in control of the country since Mubarak's ouster, said that it now has full legislative power and will announce a 100-person assembly that will write the country's new constitution by Friday.

The rulings come a day after Egypt's military-led government imposed a de facto martial law, extending the arrest powers of security forces.

Egypt's Justice Ministry issued a decree Wednesday granting military officers the authority to arrest civilians, state-run Egy News reported.

The mandate remains in effect until a new constitution is introduced, and could mean those detained could remain in jail for that long, the agency said.

"Don't like it? Too bad you're going to jail forever." The military now has the authority to indefinitely arrest you for vague reasons until they think they can get around to that new constitution thingamajig. So imagine their hurry to do so.

Al Jazeera
Egypt decree grants arrest powers to military

The controversial order was drafted earlier this month, but was not announced until Wednesday.

The decree applies to a range of offences, including those deemed "harmful to the government," destruction of property, "obstructing traffic," and "resisting orders".

Several of those provisions would allow the military to detain peaceful protesters. Rallies in Tahrir Square routinely disrupt traffic, for example.

Same coverage but details just how bad the new powers are.

HuffPo:
Egypt's Parliament Dissolved By Court; Election Ruled Unconstitutional

Story's been developing over two days three hours and I've seen no coverage about international reaction to what amounts to a military coup.

Egypt is fucked.

[Callisto]

Am I misreading things our does this mean the entire 'revolution' thing was pretty much pointless now?

[TacoTaru]

was just about to start (May 16/17)

Am I not picking up on your sarcasm or is that supposed to say June 16/17?

[Ragnus]

So who here is surprised that the military didn't give up power? Anyone? Anyone?

[Correction]

Am I not picking up on your sarcasm or is that supposed to say June 16/17?

Oops. Yes, June

Al Jazeera now has a very good analysis piece.

Am I misreading things our does this mean the entire 'revolution' thing was pretty much pointless now?

Marc Lynch agrees with this.

Today, Egypt's constitutional court delivered the coup de grace by refusing to disqualify Mubarak's former prime minister Ahmed Shafik from the race and effectively dissolving the elected parliament by declaring the individual election of one-third of its members illegal. The former decision was probably the right one, to be frank, though it was a missed opportunity for a "hail Mary" political reset. But the latter was absurd, destructive, and essentially voids Egypt's last year of politics of meaning. Weeks before the SCAF's scheduled handover of power, Egypt now finds itself with no parliament, no constitution (or even a process for drafting one), and a divisive presidential election with no hope of producing a legitimate, consensus-elected leadership. Its judiciary has become a bad joke, with any pretence of political independence from the military shattered beyond repair.

[Lucavi]

Am I misreading things our does this mean the entire 'revolution' thing was pretty much pointless now?

Its never pointless to waste lives, weapons and resources killing one anoth- oh wait.

[Pirian]

Haven't heard much about this today, so I'm going to guess that the US is backing the military, lol

[Correction]

Haven't heard much about this today, so I'm going to guess that the Israel is backing the military, lol

We're probably waiting for their permission on Obama's response to the day's events.

[Pirian]

Err, yeah, you knew what I meant

[Acturus]

Someone send in Iron Man.

[Kuya]

This is terrible, it might negatively affect Obama's reelection campaign!

[WahiGuard]

Am I misreading things our does this mean the entire 'revolution' thing was pretty much pointless now?

It wouldn't have been if the Egyptian people came together an formed a constitution before elections.

[Ohemgee]

I hope they don't bomb the pyramids. I'd like to see them one day.

[BaneTheBrawler]

Pretty sure the pyramids have already been bombed, and survived. There was some pretty intense fighting in Egypt in WW2 iirc.

The things are made of solid stone. It's not like a building where you hit a support column and the whole thing comes down.

Anyway, sucks to be Egyptian. Hope they get their shit sorted out.

[Ashmada]

Am I misreading things our does this mean the entire 'revolution' thing was pretty much pointless now?

Revolutions rarely result in positive change. Doesn't mean you shouldn't rise up against dictators, though.

But yeah, this isn't surprising in the least. The only surprise is how long they waited.

[Correction]

Both candidates have declared victory. Even if a clear victor emerges from the final vote tally, without a constitution it doesn't mean anything right now to be president of Egypt.

[Acevalefor]

Why were there even elections held if there is no constitution written? That just opens the door to whatever faction can garner the most money and power to write the rules as they want them.

[Ksandra]

Been trying to piece together how my cousins are reacting to this, but so far google translate has failed completely. It sounds like they are a little upset, but tbh they were nervous about the frontrunners to begin with, so I'd imagine in some ways they are relieved as they may have rather had the military in charge than Morsi. I'll keep an eye out though just to see what they say.

This isn't really unexpected though, no way was this going to be a smooth transition.

[Celeste]

Is this a hell of an Arabic spring or what, guys?

[Correction]

Folks were expecting a final tally by today. But I guess the last thing Egypt needs is certainty, so election officials have postponed releasing the final vote count until...until something, it's not clear.

The Election Commission did not say when it would announce the winner of the runoff between the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, Mohammed Morsi, and Mubarak's former prime minister, Ahmed Shafik.

Both candidates claim they won, and the commission was supposed to declare the top vote-getter on Thursday.

But its secretary-general, Hatem Begato, told the state newspaper Al-Ahram that the winner would be announced on Saturday or Sunday.

What a joke.