Brotherhood: Egypt Parliament Still has Legislative Power

Egypt's parliament still has the power to legislate, the Muslim Brotherhood's political arm said on Monday, despite the ruling military's decision to take back power after a court annulled the body.

"The parliament remains valid and holds legislative power and control," the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) said hours after the Brotherhood declared its candidate, Mohammed Mursi, had won presidential elections.

The statement was issued after Egypt's ruling military council said on Sunday in a new constitutional declaration that it was retaking the legislative powers it handed to the parliament in January after a drawn-out election process.

On Thursday, Egypt's constitutional court ruled that a third of the parliament had been elected illegally and ordered the entire body dissolved.

But the FJP, which dominates the parliament, has rejected that ruling and the military's retaking of power.

In the statement, the party said it would participate in "all popular activities against the constitutional coup and the dissolution of parliament, beginning on Tuesday," when activists have called for mass demonstrations.

Earlier on Monday, two lawmakers were prevented from entering the parliament by security at the building, a state newspaper reported.