Egypt's parliament to meet Wednesday following referendum vote
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dec. 21, 2012 - Egyptians walk near an Arabic poster reading "yes to the constitution" in Giza, Egypt. (AP)
An official statement says President Mohammed Morsi has ordered parliament's upper chamber to convene on Wednesday.
The statement Monday comes a day after Morsi appointed 90 members to the Islamist-dominated Shura Council. The 90 include at least 30 Islamists and six minority Christians. The council has a total of 270 members, two-thirds of them elected.
The toothless body was elected last winter by less than 10 percent of the 51 million eligible voters. It will assume legislative powers until a lower chamber is elected within the next two months. Morsi has had legislative powers since the lower chamber was dissolved by a court in June.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The council's empowerment is provided for in a new constitution passed in a referendum over the past two weekends, according to unofficial results.