Morsi Calls for Dialogue on Saturday, Says Referendum Will Be Held on Time

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi announced on Thursday that the referendum on the constitutional decree will not be cancelled or postponed, calling on all parties and political figures in the country to join him in a dialogue session on Saturday at the presidential palace.

“The upcoming referendum will decide the constitutional amendment’s fate,” Morsi said in a speech he gave, adding that he will not insist on keeping this decree if an accord is reached with parties that oppose it.

Morsi said that a great effort was put to reach an accepted formula of the amendment, explaining that it was discussed with Egyptian political leaders, the church and with others “who care about the best of Egypt”.

“I introduced this constitutional amendment because of factors that were and still are threatening to the country’s stability,” he explained.

“We welcome freedom of expression but we will not tolerate troublemakers,” Morsi stated, adding that he will legally penalize “the intruders hired and planted between peaceful protestors to create chaos”.

“Some of those who were arrested have connections with political forces and were paid in return of their activities,” Morsi revealed, commenting that the former regime and “all its figures were brought down and will not return to Egypt”.

“We will not allow anyone to sabotage public properties and topple the legitimate authority,” he stated.

Morsi’s speech comes after Egyptians have taken their protests against the Islamist President to the gates of his palace, demanding his ouster in scenes not witnessed even during demonstrations that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

The protesters are angry over Morsi's decree which granted him sweeping powers and enabled him to call a December 15 referendum on a draft constitution boycotted by liberals, leftists and Christians.

The decision to go to a referendum on December 15 caused further upheaval, including within the judiciary itself.

On Monday, the Supreme Judicial Council said it would ensure judicial supervision of the referendum, despite calls for a boycott by some colleagues, including the influential Judges Club that represents judges nationwide.

On Tuesday, the head of the Judges Club, Ahmed al-Zind, stuck by his group's decision to boycott the vote and said judges who supervise the referendum "would never be forgiven".