Morsi accepts compromise, decree will be limited

Egypt's Premier Mohammed Morsi has tried to diffuse the ongoing political crisis surrounding his controversial 'immunity decree' by saying he will accept a judiciary-imposed compromise limiting these measures to sovereignty issues. His Vice President Mahmoud Mekki is credited with smoothing negotiations between Morsi and the judiciary by bringing the question of sovereignty into play. But a judicial compromise is unlikely to quell anger on the streets. Opposition protestors in Cairo Tuesday are gearing up for three mass demonstrations against the decree. Meanwhile the Whitehouse has called for calm and underlined Morsi's 'important role' in brokering peace in Gaza. The issue must be viewed separately from Egypt's internal strife, Whitehouse sources said. And in the aftermath of the killing of an activist from the Muslim Brotherhood, the Brotherhood has postponed a march in support of Morsi. The march was set to co-oincide with Tuesday's opposition rallies in Tarhir Square but has been put off due to the risk of violence. Egypt's courts are set to examine the appeals against Morsi's decree on December 4th. Today's rallies have prompted closures in the city. The US Embassy - which has been pummeled with stones and tear gas in recent days, has shut. Many of Cairo's schools are also closed for the day.