Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi is meeting senior judges in an effort to settle a mounting crisis over the extent of his powers. A decree giving him sweeping new powers was announced on Thursday, sparking violent protests nationwide and a sharp drop in the Egyptian stock market.

Mr Mursi said on Sunday the decree was temporary and not intended to concentrate power in his hands.

The president expressed confidence that a solution would be found.

“President Mursi is very optimistic that Egyptians will overcome this challenge as they have overcome other challenges,” spokesman Yasser Ali told reporters ahead of Monday’s meeting with members of the Supreme Judicial Council.

We speak with Issandr El Amrani, who writes “The Arabist” blog.