Egypt's vice president resigns

Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekki (left) and President Mohammed Morsi attend Eid al-Fitr prayers in Amr Ibn Al-As mosque during Ramadan in this Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 file photo. / AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency

CAIRO Egypt's state TV says Vice President Mahmoud Mekki has resigned.

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Mekki's Saturday resignation was announced with more than five hours to go of voting in the second and final phase of a referendum on a disputed, Islamist-backed constitution.

Mekki, a career judge, has said he intends to quit once the charter is adopted. The new constitution eliminates the post of vice president.

However, a statement by Mekki read on state TV hinted that the motive of his hurried departure could be linked to the policies of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

He said he first submitted his resignation last month but events forced him to stay on.

"I have realized a while ago that the nature of politics don't suit my professional genesis as a judge," he wrote.

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[artestfan]

I like how the author implies he quit because of the political divide, when in fact his position would be dissolved after the constitution was confirmed. Most likely Morsi will appoint him the new Chief prosecutor or to the highest Egyptian Court.