Egypt new-appointed vice president Mahmoud Mekki (Photo: Ahram file)
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi issued a decree on Thursday laying down the authorities of recently appointed vice-president Mahmoud Mekki.
A former senior judge, Mekki, 58, was appointed last month as the country's first civilian vice-president since Egypt's 1952 revolution.
Responsibilities delegated to Mekki include issuing decisions and taking necessary measures in the president's absence, as well as access to draft bills and propositions put forward by concerned entities.
Morsi also tasked his deputy with spearheading a legislative overhaul scheme in a way that ensures judicial independence and guarantees separation of powers to serve revolutionary goals.
Mekki was also granted the power to commission federal, local and supervisory bodies to provide the president's office with data and statistics.
The vice-president will further be tasked with overseeing dialogue between political forces and various segments of Egyptian society, while ensuring the preservation of constitutional rights and freedoms.
Next week, Mekki is due to convene his first meeting with editors-in-chief of Egyptian newspapers and magazines.
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